ENG-2008 — Page 183

Employment | 135

Occupational Safety and Health

The Labour Department strives to improve safety and health in the workplace through legislation, law enforcement, publicity and promotion, as well as education and training. Safety and health at work in Hong Kong has improved significantly in the past decade as a result of the concerted effort of all parties concerned, including employers, employees, contractors, safety practitioners and the Government.

In 2008, the number of occupational injuries stood at 41 900, representing a drop of 34 per cent from the 63 526 cases in 1998. The number of industrial accidents also fell from 43 034 in 1998 to 14 932 in 2008, down by 65.3 per cent. In the construction industry, the number of accidents recorded a substantial decrease of 84.5 per cent from 19 588 in 1998 to 3 033 in 2008. During the year, 204 cases of occupational diseases were confirmed, representing a cumulative fall of 78 per cent from the 948 cases in 1998. The most common occupational diseases were silicosis, occupational deafness and tenosynovitis (inflammation of a tendon sheath) of the hand or forearm.

Enforcement

The Labour Department inspects workplaces regularly to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation, with particular attention to high-risk industries and organisations with poor safety records. Apart from routine inspections, the department also conducts special enforcement campaigns targeting accident-prone industries and work situations.

In 2008, enforcement campaigns were carried out in relation to building repair and maintenance, construction, catering, cargo and container handling, site vehicles and mobile plants, tower cranes, as well as fire and chemical safety. During the year, 1 245 improvement notices were issued and 171 suspension notices served on companies and organisations, requiring them to remove imminent risks to life and limb at their workplaces.

A total of 1947 prosecutions were heard under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (FIUO) and their subsidiary regulations. The conviction rate was 85.8 per cent and fines totalled more than $12 million.

During the year, the Labour Department stepped up inspections of food and beverage factories, vehicle repair shops, printing factories and other industrial establishments where chemical and ergonomic hazards are common to ensure that the safety and health of workers in these places are adequately protected. Altogether, 181 warnings and 15 improvement notices were served on these establishments.

In the wake of a serious accident in July 2007 involving the collapse of a tower crane, the Labour Department and the Construction Industry Council jointly drew up a document, entitled 'Guidelines on Safety of Tower Cranes', laying down standards and practices for enhancing safe tower crane operations. Adopted in June, the guidelines set standards for checking tower cranes before they are put up, for better