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Work accident statistics show occupational safety and health improving
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    The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that work accident statistics showed a sustained and marked improvement in occupational safety and health performance in Hong Kong.

    The improvement was brought about by the joint efforts of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, employers, employees, trade organisations and the Government.

    Speaking at the Good Housekeeping seminar and award presentation ceremony today (February 22), Mr Cheung said that the caseload of work injuries and the accident rate per thousand workers fell from 58,841 and 24.3 in 1999 to 46,937 and 18.4 in 2006, representing a decrease of 20.2% and 24.3% respectively.

    The number of work injuries further dropped by 6.4% from 35,631 in the first three quarters of 2006 to 33,349 in the corresponding period of 2007. The accident rate per thousand workers fell by 8.4% from 18.7 to 17.1.

    ¡§Poor housekeeping is one of the major causes of workplace accidents. The Good Housekeeping Promotional Campaign promotes the ¡¥5S¡¦ concept, namely Organisation, Neatness, Cleanliness, Standardisation and Discipline, to manage the workplace properly and safely, and thus prevent accidents,¡¨ Mr Cheung said.

    He urged employers, employees and decision-makers of individual organisations to continue observing the ¡§5S¡¨ concept in their workplaces to foster a better and safer working environment.

    The Good Housekeeping Promotional Campaign received strong support this year from industries, with a total of 51 organisations taking part in 193 events. The participants came from various trades, including property management companies, building companies, public bodies and catering establishments.

    ¡§The good response testifies to the importance that these sectors attach to work safety and their willingness to devote resources to promote good housekeeping,¡¨ Mr Cheung concluded.

Ends/Friday, February 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:22

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