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Work safety in the catering industry significantly enhanced
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     The work safety and health performance of the catering industry has improved significantly with the joint efforts of the Government, employers, employees and concerned parties in the industry.

     The number of industrial accidents dropped by 30% from over 12,000 in 1999 to less than 9,000 in 2007. The downward trend continued in the first half of this year.

     Speaking at the 10th Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme award presentation ceremony cum fun day today (November 30), the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Paul Tang, said there were more than 200,000 employees in the catering industry. The industry's accident rate had been on the high side and the number of work injuries in the industry topped all trades in recent years.

     Although most of the injuries were minor, the loss suffered by injured workers and employers remained a concern, Mr Tang said.

     "The Government attaches great importance to the co-operation among employers, employees and other stakeholders to improve the work safety and health performance of the catering industry. I am glad to see the significant improvement in recent years with the joint efforts of all parties concerned,"he said.

     The accident rate per thousand workers dropped by 35% from 66.9 in 1999 to 43.5 in 2008. Mr Tang called on employers, employees and other stakeholders to continue to take a proactive approach in accident prevention work in an attempt to further enhance safety performance in the catering industry.

     "The financial tsunami has impacts on different industries at varying degrees. Improvements in safety and health at the workplace will help mitigate the problems arising from sick leave due to work accidents. This is beneficial to both employers and employees," he added.

     Also attending the award presentation ceremony cum fun day were the Commissioner for Labour, Mrs Cherry Tse, the Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr Lee Kai-ming, and the Executive Director of the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, Mr Lai Ka-tong.

     The Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme has since 1999 been co-organised by the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board and stakeholders in the trade.

     The scheme aims to commend catering establishments, supervisors and workers with exemplary work safety and health performance. It also contributes to promoting safety awareness among employers, employees and people in the trade, fostering a positive culture in the industry and among members of the public.
 
     Entering its 10th year, the event has drawn participation from 209 eligible catering establishments. A total of 187 qualified management staff were nominated for the supervisor award. In addition, the Safety Awareness Award is introduced this year to commend single-outlet catering establishments.

Ends/Sunday, November 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:01

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