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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (February 26) called on both employers and employees to continue to raise occupational safety and health standards and strive towards the goal of "zero accidents".
Speaking at the Good Housekeeping Forum and Award Presentation Ceremony organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr Cheung said that occupational safety and health standards have continued to improve. The number of work injuries and the accident rate per thousand workers fell from 58,841 and 24.3 in 1999 to 41,900 and 15.8 in 2008, representing a decrease of 28.8% and 35% respectively.
On industrial accidents, the caseload and accident rate per thousand workers dropped from 11,434 and 27.2 in the first three quarters of 2008 to 10,210 and 24.8 in the corresponding period in 2009, representing a decrease of 10.7% and 9% respectively.
In the construction industry, the number of accidents dropped by 7.5% from 2,253 in the first three quarters of 2008 to 2,083 in the corresponding period in 2009 while the accident rate per thousand workers decreased by 7.9% from 60.8 in the first three quarters of 2008 to 56 in the corresponding period in 2009.
Mr Cheung said, "Prevention is better than cure. Proper management of the workplace can always help prevent accidents. The '5S' concept - organisation, neatness, cleanliness, standardisation and discipline - promoted by the Good Housekeeping Promotional Campaign is crucial in enhancing workplace safety. Through the implementation of '5S' measures, organisations can establish a systematic management mode and create a safe and comfortable working environment, with a view to staying clear of accidents.
"This year, the Occupational Safety and Health Council will work together with the Government to find ways to strengthen support for workers at residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities. It will also join with the Labour Department to further promote work safety to employers and employees in the renovation and maintenance sectors to improve occupational safety and health standards."
Ends/Friday, February 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:31
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