ENG-1997 — Page 177

EMPLOYMENT

It continued to inculcate the safety culture in various sectors of the community in line with the recommendations made in the Consultation Paper on the Review of Industrial Safety in Hong Kong. The Catering Trade Safety and Health Do-It-Yourself Kit was produced and distributed to local eating establishments to assist employers and employees in improving safety and health at their workplace. The passing of the new Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance in May 1997 expanded new areas of work for the council in the promotion of safety and health at workplace. During 1997, it introduced initiatives in providing safety and health. training for managers, supervisors and workers in establishing effective and efficient safety and health management programmes. These courses include ergonomics, safety and health for small business, fire prevention, electrical safety, safety at lift and escalator works, fork lift truck instructor and operator courses, safety auditing, occupational hygiene, and the inspection and examination of boilers and pressure equipment.

The council also produced videos, CD-ROM and other training materials to help industries train their workers. Tailor-made courses were also offered to public utilities, building contractors, hotels, manufacturing firms, hospitals, building management companies, and government departments. In all, 9 800 persons attended the council's courses in 1997.

In changing the safety attitude of the younger generation, the council developed a second occupational safety and health training kit on Chemical Safety with the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Department for secondary school students.

During the year, the council organised 25 seminars, conferences and symposia on current topics of safety and health. In April 1997, it played host to the 13th Asia Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Conferencel Exhibition and Annual Meeting with more than 1 000 participants from 24 countries and local communities.

The council was active in initiating and undertaking several research projects, such as manual lifting, office ergonomics, catering safety and health, and hearing conservation in non-manufacturing sectors. It continued to provide consultancy services, in particular for small establishments on a cost-recovery basis, with high priority being given to establishments in the non-industrial sector. A safety auditing office was established to manage the Independent Safety Audit Scheme for Government and Housing Authority construction projects.

Campaigns to arouse public interest included the 'Occupational Safety and Health Week' held in October and November. There was increased co-operation from district-based organisations in staging promotional activities. Promotional campaigns on different themes in support of the newly enacted Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance such as construction safety, office safety, manual handling and so on were launched throughout the year. Campaigns were also launched especially for civil servants to increase their awareness of office safety and health.

The council produced safety and health literature, codes of practice and guidebooks, a bi-monthly journal Green Cross, safety advice pamphlets, posters and bulletins for individual industries. A comprehensive library with a collection of up-to- date videos, journals, microfilms, books and magazines on occupational safety and health is open for public use. The council's database can also be accessed via the fax- on-demand and Internet network.

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