ENG-2010 — Page 182

136 Employment

recent

Construction work is a high-risk

a high-risk occupation. In view of the commencement of large infrastructure projects and urban renewal developments, the council organised a number of new courses to help trainees understand the latest occupational safety and health regulations, and to prepare them for the implementation of safety management plans. In addition, the council has produced tailor-made safety training programmes to cater for the specific needs of government departments, and public and private sector organisations.

Industrial accidents in small-scale construction projects, such as renovation and maintenance works have been on the rise. In response, the council organised a wide range of promotional activities with government departments and the industry to improve the safety awareness of property owners, contractors and practitioners. It also launched a 'Renovation and Maintenance Works OSH Ambassador Programme' to help disseminate relevant safety messages to the public. The council attaches great importance to occupational health. Experts from the World Health Organisation and Asian region made presentations at a 'Conference on Health and the Well Being at Work' held in the year. In addition to its annual 'Health Day Promotional Campaign', the council also launched an occupational safety and health promotional plan for professional drivers. Outdoor promotional activities were organised in collaboration with the trade union to remind professional drivers to be health cautious.

The council has launched various accreditation schemes under the Safe Community Programme advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) by setting up a uniform assessment standard for all programmes to continually improve and enhance occupational safety and health standards. The council was designated by the WHO in 2010 as the 10th 'International Safe Community Certifying Centre' to provide certification to safe communities that meet the standards. It also launched an 'International Safe Workplaces Programme' to encourage organisations to adopt basic WHO standards for enhancing safety levels in their workplaces.

During the year, the council was invited to participate in a large multinational research project called 'International Return on Prevention', which helps enterprises calculate the costs and returns of promoting occupational safety and health. Participants include the International Social Security Association, German Social Accident Insurance and relevant organisations in 21 countries and regions. To help small and medium enterprises improve their occupational safety and health standard, the council offers financial support and consultancy to them through various subsidy programmes.

Websites

Labour and Welfare Bureau: www.lwb.gov.hk

Education Bureau: www.edb.gov.hk

Security Bureau: www.sb.gov.hk

Labour Department: www.labour.gov.hk

Occupational Safety and Health Council: www.oshc.org.hk

Immigration Department: www.immd.gov.hk

Employees Retraining Board: www.erb.org