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EMPLOYMENT
unit is primarily concerned with protecting workers against physical, chemical and biological hazards in their working environment, and preventing occupational diseases. Potential health hazards in the working environment are reported by the Factory Inspectorate and officers of the unit. A further check is kept through the statutory notification of occupational diseases. Control is achieved by environmental and biological investigation, monitoring, medical examination and health education.
In conjunction with the Industrial Hygiene Unit, the Industrial Health Unit also investigates industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Medical and pathological examinations are arranged for workers exposed to the risks of lead, fluoride, ionising radiation and other occupational hazards, and all government divers and people work- ing in compressed air.
Responsibility for examining and assessing injured workers lies with medically- qualified industrial health officers. Visits to the homes and work places of injured workers are made by nurses and health visitors of the Industrial Health Unit.
The Industrial Hygiene Unit, established on October 1, 1976, is concerned with protecting workers against environmental conditions that may affect their health and well-being. The unit carries out field surveys to evaluate the working environment of industrial undertakings and recommends measures to reduce industrial hazards. It also investigates complaints about working conditions and injuries caused by chemicals. The determination of airborne contaminants form the major part of field work. This includes measuring lead, manganese, mercury, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, chromic acid mist, solvent vapours, silica and other forms of dusts. Thermal comfort, ventilation, noise and lighting also are evaluated.
The laboratory of the unit biologically monitors workers handling fluoride and government staff about to enter hyperbaric atmospheres. It also takes and analyses air samples conducted in the Air Pollution Monitoring Programme. The laboratory is collaborating in World Health Organisation Air Pollution Study.
The Air Pollution Control Unit has a team of 12 smoke inspectors who operate under the air pollution control officer. The unit is responsible for administering the Clean Air Ordinance, the Clean Air (Furnaces, Ovens and Chimneys) (Installation and Alteration) Regulations and the Clean Air (Restriction and Measurement of Smoke Emission) Regulations. It offers to the industrial and commercial sectors free, con- structive advice and technical help on efficient fuel usage and on reducing smoke emissions and other aerial pollutants.
The Workmen's Compensation Unit administers the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. It is responsible for ensuring that injured workers or their dependants receive, as quickly as possible, compensation to which they are legally entitled. An amendment was made to the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance to require em- ployers to meet the cost of medical care. Other amendments to the ordinance still being considered by the Legislative Council were intended to raise the ceiling for non-manual workers to $5,000 a month; to extend to 24 months the time limit for applying for compensation; to impose a surcharge on delayed payment; and to attain uniformity in assessments for injury.
Industrial Training
In 1973, the Governor appointed the Hong Kong Training Council to advise him on
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