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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (March 22) reminded all contractors, workers and organisations in the construction sector of the importance of work safety. Mr Cheung made the appeal following the announcement of various infrastructure and minor works projects to boost employment in the Budget.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony of the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme, Mr Cheung said the number of industrial accidents in the construction industry had continued to decline in the first three quarters of 2008.
"The construction industry is a high-risk industry with serious accidents outnumbering other trades. Apart from inflicting sufferings on the victims and their families, these accidents also result in heavy costs to employers and society.
"The Government, employers, employees and organisations in the construction sector have always attached great importance to the occupational safety and health performance in the industry and have, through concerted efforts over the years, brought significant and sustained improvements in the industry," he said.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme, which was launched to raise the safety and health awareness of contractors, site personnel and workers of the construction industry. Through open competition, the award also recognises and awards participants with good occupational safety and health performances.
The Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme is co-organised by the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Development Bureau, the Housing Authority, the Construction Industry Council, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, the Hong Kong Housing Society, the Hong Kong Construction Association, the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association, the Hong Kong Construction Sub-Contractors Association, the Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Limited, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, and the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union. Legislative Councillor Mr Abraham Shek, Commissioner for Labour Cherry Tse, and representatives from the co-organisers also attended the award presentation ceremony.
The award scheme recorded an entry of 137 sites, 46 sub-contractors and 85 safety teams this year.
Ends/Sunday, March 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:31
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