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Serious study on industrial safety and health booklet urged

The Chief Factory Inspector (Operations), Mr Tse Ming-sing, today (Saturday) called on employers and employees in various industrial sectors to study seriously a booklet introducing the General Duties Provisions produced by the Labour Department.

"Risks at work can be eliminated at source and accidents be prevented if co- operation between employers and employees, and if proper safety measures recommended in the provisions are implemented," Mr Tse said.

He said the main theme of the provisions was to encourage employers in various industrial sectors to devise, implement and supervise a complete safety and health management system which would ensure the safety of workers under their employment.

"It is equally important for workers to co-operate with their employers by taking proper safety measures.

"This publication contains sound advice on general industrial safety practices as well as checklists on general duties of proprietors and workers," said Mr Tse.

The booklet also illustrates 17 cases on how employers and workers employed at industrial undertakings should have carried out their general duties so as to ensure workplaces are safe and without risks to health.

There are altogether 58 questions relating to the general duties of industrial undertaking proprietors which cover many important safety aspects in different type of workplaces.

Mr Tse urged all industrial proprietors to study the questions carefully and to implement the checklists thoroughly in their workplaces.

The safety booklet also contains 23 questions on general safety for workers.

"Although it is impossible to specify in great details in the booklet on all necessary steps to comply with the legislation, the General Duties Provisions are comprehensive and have wide application which will assist employers and employees to improve work safety," Mr Tse said.