Joint efforts to enhance safety performance of catering industry
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Speaking at the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme (2017/2018) award presentation ceremony, the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Carlson Chan, today (November 26) said that the food and beverage services industry provides more than 243 000 jobs in Hong Kong. To attract more new blood and maintain the sustainable development of the sector, which is labour-intensive, one of the ways is to promote the image of the food and beverage services industry, such as by implementing good OSH management and providing a safe and healthy work environment for employees.
Mr Chan said, "The award scheme this year has drawn participation from a total of 289 catering establishments and 250 staff members have been nominated to compete for the Supervisor Award. Quite a number of participants are restaurant chains or establishments operated by conglomerates and have already built up good images and reputations in OSH. Their participation is significant and provides positive impetus in leading the industry to enhance OSH."
He added that the Government attaches great importance to the OSH of the food and beverage services industry. With concerted efforts from stakeholders of the industry, the Government and the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC), there has been continuous improvement in the OSH of the industry in recent years. Over the past decade, the accident toll in the industry decreased by 44 per cent from over 8 000 in 2007 to some 4 900 last year, and the accident rate per 1 000 workers also dropped by 53 per cent, from 43.5 to 20.5. Though there has been a substantial improvement, the industry has still recorded the highest number of work accidents among all trades. He appealed for the continuous concerted efforts of stakeholders to ensure the safety and health of employees.
In addition, to provide safety training, improve workplace safety and enhance tidiness and cleanliness, Mr Chan called on the industry to participate in the OSH Star Enterprise - Catering OSH Enhancement Pilot Scheme launched by the OSHC. Enterprises with the related training completed and audit requirements met will receive sponsorship for procurement of employees' safety equipment that is in compliance with safety standards, such as slip-resistant shoes and cut-resistant and heat-resistant gloves.
Launched in 1999, the Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme is jointly organised by the Labour Department and the OSHC, with the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board and related organisations in the trade as co-organising bodies.
Also officiating at the award presentation ceremony today were Executive Council and Legislative Council member Mr Tommy Cheung; the Chairman of the OSHC, Dr Alan Chan; the Chairman of the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board, Dr Albert Luk; and representatives of the co-organisers.
The scheme aims to reinforce awareness of OSH among employers, employees and stakeholders in the industry as well as the public. It also aims to inculcate a good OSH culture in the catering industry and to recognise catering establishments, supervisors and workers with good performance in OSH.
Ends/Sunday, November 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:56
Issued at HKT 15:56
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