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The Commissioner for Labour, Mr Cheuk Wing Hing, today (November 27) called on stakeholders in the catering sector to remain vigilant and prevent work accidents by enhancing the occupational safety and health standard of the industry.
Speaking at the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme (2011/2012) Award Presentation Ceremony cum Fun Day today, Mr Cheuk said while the catering industry offered lots of job opportunities, it recorded the highest number of work accidents among all trades. Although most of the accidents in the catering industry are minor, work injuries can bring emotional suffering to employees, lower the quality of service and affect the reputation and productivity of catering establishments. Hence, the Government has attached great importance to the occupational safety and health performance of the catering industry and has co-operated closely with employers, employees and related organisations to raise the standard.
"I am glad to see the significant improvement in recent years with the concerted efforts of all parties concerned. When we started organising the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme in 1999, over 12,000 accidents were recorded. In 2010, the accident toll plunged 40 per cent to less than 7,600. I believe that with the joint efforts of employers, employees, other related organisations and the Government in implementing preventive measures, the occupational safety and health performance of the industry will continue to improve," Mr Cheuk added.
Also attending the award presentation ceremony and fun day were the Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr Conrad Wong, and the Chairman of the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, Dr Anthony Yuen.
The Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme, launched in 1999, is co-organised by the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board and related organisations in the trade. Entering its 13th year, the award scheme this year has drawn participation from a total of 203 catering establishments and 161 management staff.
The scheme is organised to enhance the occupational safety and health awareness of employers, employees and other parties in the industry. It also aims to inculcate a robust occupational safety and health culture in the industry and among the public, and to award catering establishments, supervisors and workers for good performance in work safety and health.
Ends/Sunday, November 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:56
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