ENG-2009 — Page 186

134 | Employment

included publication of a checklist for assessing the risk of heat stroke at such workplaces.

Following the outbreak of Human Swine Influenza A/H1N1, or swine flu, the department stepped up inspection of workplaces with a higher risk of infection such as hospitals, clinics, and elderly homes to ensure that appropriate infection control measures are in place to safeguard the health of employees there.

During the year, 1230 Improvement Notices were sent to companies and organisations ordering them to enhance safety conditions at workplaces promptly, while 147 Suspension Notices were sent to those where work activities or the use of plant or substances posed imminent risks of death or serious bodily injury to employees.

A total of 1 912 cases were heard in court which handed out fines totalling $11 million to the defendants in almost 85 per cent of the cases.

Promotion and Education

In 2009, the Labour Department continued carrying out large-scale campaigns to promote safety at construction sites. These campaigns were first launched in 2008 following a rise in accidents involving

rise in accidents involving people working at heights, on scaffoldings as well as people engaged in repair and maintenance works. The campaign message was disseminated through seminars, talks, exhibitions, publications and the media. The department also continued promoting the Occupational Safety Charter and Workplace Hygiene Charter which calls on employers and employees to create and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. It also launched safety award schemes for the construction and catering industries.

The Labour Department conducts courses and talks to help workers better understand the occupational safety and health laws, and gives health talks at workplaces. During the year, over 800 courses and talks on relevant legislation were held for some 13 700 employees. The department also held over 1 390 health talks which were attended by some 47 500 people. The department, in partnership with stakeholders, launched publicity programmes to promote a tailor-made educational kit on strategies for preventing occupational diseases.

Occupational Health Clinics

The Labour Department provides occupational health services to workers at its occupational health clinics in Kwun Tong and Fanling. Together they held 13 228 clinical consultations with workers during the year.

Occupational Safety and Health Council

The Occupational Safety and Health Council, established in 1988, fosters safe and healthy conditions at workplaces through the provision of training, promotion, consultancy, research and information services.

The council runs courses for management and frontline staff to give them a deeper understanding of safety at work. In 2009, a total of 40 170 people attended