ENG-2011 — Page 181

Employment | 141

Occupational Safety and Health

The Labour Department continues to improve safety and health standards in the workplace through a three-pronged strategy of legislation and 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 2011, the number of occupational injuries was 40 578, a drop of 13.7 per cent from the 47 023 cases a decade ago. Over the same period, the number of industrial accidents fell from 22 453 to 13 658, a decrease of 39.2 per cent. In 2011, a total of 353 cases of occupational diseases were confirmed, representing a cumulative fall of 3 per cent from the 364 cases over the same period.

Enforcement

The Labour Department inspects workplaces regularly to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health laws, particularly in the places of high-risk industries and organisations with poor safety records. The department also conducts special enforcement campaigns targeting accident-prone industries such as those involved in repair, maintenance, alteration and addition (RMAA) works, new construction works, catering, cargo and container handling, and others. The department stepped up enforcement measures during the summer to ensure that workers at construction sites and other outdoor workplaces are protected from heat strokes.

During the year, the department served 1 356 Improvement Notices on companies and organisations, ordering them to improve safety conditions at their workplaces promptly, and 351 Suspension Notices on 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 1 746 cases were heard in the courts which handed down fines totalling $12 million. The defendants in 85 per cent of the cases were convicted.

Promotion and Education

The department, in collaboration with the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC), continued carrying out a large-scale two-year publicity programme launched in 2010, to enhance safety awareness among contractors and workers. engaged in

in RMAA works. The department also continued to promote the Occupational Safety Charter and Workplace Hygiene Charter which urges employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment at their workplaces. It also organised 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. During the year, over 820 courses and talks were held for some 14 500 employees. The department also held over 1 200 health talks which were attended by some 39 000 people. In particular, the department collaborated with OSHC, employers' associations and trade unions.