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The Labour Department is inviting all catering establishments in Hong Kong to participate in the 3rd Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme.

The Award Scheme aims to enhance the awareness of occupational safety and health in the industry.

"The industry has long been one of our targets because of its high accident toll. Although most catering accidents are minor in nature, the number is still a cause of concern," a spokesman for the department said today (July 22).

"The Award Scheme is part of our on-going promotional activities to strengthen the awareness of both employers and employees in the industry on safety and health at work," the spokesman said.

All entries should have a segregated kitchen in the catering establishment. They must be holding a valid full license issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and have not received any Suspension Notice from the Labour Department or recorded any serious or fatal accidents in the past 12 months preceding the enrollment deadline.

Entries will be divided into seven categories: Chinese Restaurants (Group or Chain Establishment); Chinese Restaurants (Individual Establishment); Restaurants (Non-Chinese); Hotels with kitchen; Fast Food Shops serving Western Food; Fast Food Shops serving both Chinese and Western Food; and Cafe, Light Refreshment Eating Places and Canteens.

Each category will have Gold, Silver, Bronze and Meritorious prizes. There will also be awards for supervisors and workers with exemplary safety and health performance.

Adjudication will be conducted in August and September. Assessment criteria will cover physical conditions of the workplaces such as the overall layout of the kitchen; stacking and storage of materials, equipment and apparatus; manual lifting and handling; machinery, equipment and hand tools; ventilation and noise control; electricity and personal protective equipment, etc.

Various aspects of safety management system such as safety policy, organisation and training; risk assessment; safety rules and regulations; inspection of hazardous condition and incident investigation; emergency measures and safety promotion will also be assessed.

Application brochures will be available from July 24 from the branch offices of the department's Occupational Safety and Health Branch and the Occupational Safety and Health Council. Enrolment forms may be downloaded from the department's website (http://www.info.gov.hk/labour/). The closing date for entry is August 10.

The Award Scheme is jointly organised by the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, the Hong Kong Restaurant and Eating-House Merchants General Association, the Eating Establishment Employees General Union, the Hong Kong Hotels Association, the Food and Beverage Management and Professional Staff Association and the Association of the Restaurant Managers.

End/Sunday, July 22, 2001

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