ENG-1993 — Page 152

EMPLOYMENT

year, it successfully organised safety and health training courses for graduate engineers, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers; and laboratory safety training for laboratory technicians, with the Government Laboratory. There was an increased demand for in-company training programmes, with a total of 5 500 company staff at all levels attending the training courses.

During the year, the council organised 12 seminars which focussed on selected technical topics for professionals and interested members of the public. Research projects were also undertaken to improve occupational safety and health in Hong Kong. The council continued to provide consultancy services on a cost recovery basis.

Campaigns to arouse public interest included the Occupational Safety and Health Week, held in November. There was a significant increase in co-operation with district-based organisations in staging promotional activities.

To fulfil its role in the dissemination of technical information, the council produces safety and health literature, codes of practice and guidebooks, a bi-monthly journal Green Cross, safety advice pamphlets, bulletins for individual industries and posters. A comprehensive library on occupational safety and health is open for public use. It houses a wide collection of journals, technical reference books and a database.

The council's occupational safety and health employees' participation scheme continued to offer financial assistance to employees' organisations running safety and health activities. During 1993, 23 employees' organisations received subsidies under the scheme.

Employees' Compensation

The Employees Compensation Division of the Labour Department administers the Em- ployees' Compensation Ordinance and the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance.

The department ensures that injured employees and dependants of deceased employees covered by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance obtain compensation from their employers in respect of occupational diseases, or injuries, or deaths, caused by accidents arising out of, and in the course of, employment. It also ensures that persons covered by the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance obtain speedy compensation from the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund, which is financed by a levy imposed on the construction and quarrying industries.

To provide quick financial relief to employees injured at work and to dependants of employees who die as a result of work-related accidents, a loan scheme was set up in July. Under the scheme, an interest-free loan of up to $15,000 is provided for in each eligible employees' compensation case. The Employees' Compensation Assistance Scheme makes payments of statutory compensation and damages, awarded by common law, which are due to an injured employee or dependants of a deceased employee when an employer defaults or an insurer becomes insolvent. It also covers claims from employers failing to obtain indemnity from their insolvent insurers.

Under the two-tier Employees' Compensation Assessment Board system, employees with work-related injuries which are likely to result in permanent incapacity are assessed by the boards at 10 major hospitals in Hong Kong. In 1993, Ordinary Assessment Boards convened 529 sessions and completed assessments of 15 215 cases referred to them by the Commissioner for Labour and 1 274 review cases. Special Assessment Boards convened nine sessions and completed assessments of eight cases referred to them by the Ordinary Assessment Boards and one review case.

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