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Occupational safety and health performance in Hong Kong has been continuously improving in recent years given the concerted efforts of employers, employees, stakeholders and the Government.
But despite this encouraging trend there are great challenges in the year ahead, particularly in the construction industry.
This observation was made by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at tonight's (April 27) presentation ceremony for the fourth Outstanding Employees in Occupational Safety and Health Award Scheme. He added that the Labour Department would step up inspections and enforcement actions to minimise the chance of accidents.
Mr Cheung expressed concern that the number of construction accidents in 2011 went up by 7.9 per cent compared with 2010, while the number of fatal cases substantially increased from nine in 2010 to 23 last year. With various major infrastructural projects and other works projects approaching their construction peak in the coming years, and given that the volume of repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works is also expected to increase owing to the implementation of the mandatory building and window inspection schemes, there would be great pressure on occupational safety and health in the construction industry.
"The Labour Department is committed to enhancing its precautionary measures and enforcement actions with a view to minimising the chance of industrial accidents. The Department has stepped up inspections and enforcement actions since last year. In addition to the annual 40 000 regular inspections, six special enforcement operations targeted at new construction projects as well as repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works were carried out last year. Some 8 200 workplaces were inspected, with about 410 Suspension Notices/Improvement Notices served, doubling those issued in 2010," said Mr Cheung.
These include the issuance of over 150 Suspension Notices (8.5 times more than 2010) and nearly 260 Improvement Notices (an increase of about 30 per cent over 2010). The Labour Department also initiated about 290 prosecutions, 34 per cent higher than 2010.
He added that the Labour Department had launched another territory-wide special enforcement operation in February. Some 830 workplaces were inspected with about 40 Suspension Notices and some 160 Improvement Notices issued. A total of 210 cases are under consideration for prosecution.
"The Department will continue to publicise and promote work safety for working at height - a high-risk area of work, including organising promotional activities with the aim of strengthening the safety culture among employers and employees," Mr Cheung said.
Ends/Friday, April 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:45
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