ENG-1995 — Page 159

EMPLOYMENT

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The division undertakes medical examinations on persons exposed to ionising radiation, users of compressed-air breathing apparatus and government employees engaged in diving, asbestos work or pest control. It runs an occupational health clinic providing consultative services to workers with work-related illnesses, and provides medical support services to decompression sickness patients treated in the decom- pression chamber. It also takes part in the Pneumoconiosis Medical Board to assess workers suffering from silicosis under the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance.

Its nurses handle medical clearance for employees' compensation cases. Its occupational health officers are appointed to special assessment boards and prostheses and surgical appliance boards under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.

The laboratory of the division, which is a member of the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, continued to carry out analytical tests on environmental samples taken during site visits.

Occupational Safety and Health Council

The Occupational Safety and Health Council aims to promote a safer and healthier working environment through education and training; promoting the use of modern technology; dissemination of technical knowledge; provision of consultancy services; and encouraging co-operation and communication among government and non- -government bodies with similar goals. It is a statutory body financed by a levy on the

premium of employees' compensation insurance policies in Hong Kong.

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The council has established 10 industry-based committees and two advisory committees the Chemical Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Occupational Health Advisory Committee. With the establishment of an Education and Information Centre in 1995, the council plans to expand its training and educational role in the dissemination of safety and health knowledge to the public both in variety and number of courses. A series of new safety and health management courses for managers, professionals and supervisors was organised during the year. The council continued to provide safety and health career professional development courses for graduate engineers in conjunction with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and laboratory safety training for laboratory technicians with the Government Laboratory. Co-operating with the City University of Hong Kong, the council organised a certificate programme to boost the number of safety officers in Hong Kong. Tailor-made courses were also available to construction contractors, hotels, building management companies and manufacturing firms. A total of 6 000 people attended the council's courses in 1995. The council organised 12 seminars and symposia on current topics of safety and health and undertook several research projects. It continued to provide consultancy services, in particular for small estab- lishments, 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 dissemination of technical information, the council produces safety and health literature, codes of practice and guidebooks, the bi-monthly journal Green Cross, safety advice pamphlets, bulletins for individual industries and posters.

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