Occupational Safety and Health Council

The Occupational Safety and Health Council aims to promote a safer and
healthier working environment through education and training; promotion
on the use of modern technology; dissemination of technical knowledge;
provision of consultancy services; and encouragement of co-operation
and communication among government and non-government bodies with
similar goals. The council, a statutory body, is financed by a levy on the
premium of employees' compensation insurance policies in Hong Kong.

It continued to inculcate the safety culture in various sectors of the
community in line with the recommendations made in the Consultation
Paper on the Review of Industrial Safety in Hong Kong. The Catering
Trade Safety and Health Do-It-Yourself Kit was produced and distributed
to local eating establishments to assist employers and employees in
improving safety and health at their workplace. The passing of the new
Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance in May 1997 expanded new
areas of work for the council in the promotion of safety and health at
workplace. During 1997, it introduced initiatives in providing safety and
health training for managers, supervisors and workers in establishing
effective and efficient safety and health management programmes. These
courses include ergonomics, safety and health for small business, fire
prevention, electrical safety, safety at lift and escalator works, fork lift
truck instructor and operator courses, safety auditing, occupational
hygiene, and the inspection and examination of boilers and pressure
equipment.

The council also produced videos, CD-ROM and other training materials
to help industries train their workers. Tailor-made courses were also
offered to public utilities, building contractors, hotels, manufacturing
firms, hospitals, building management companies, and government
departments. In all, 9 800 persons attended the council's courses in 1997.
In changing the safety attitude of the younger generation, the council
developed a second occupational safety and health training kit on
Chemical Safety with the Curriculum Development Institute of the
Education Department for secondary school students.

During the year, the council organised 25 seminars, conferences and
symposia on current topics of safety and health. In April 1997, it played
host to the 13th Asia Pacific Occupational Safety and Health
Conference/Exhibition and Annual Meeting with more than 1 000
participants from 24 countries and local communities.

The council was active in initiating and undertaking several research
projects, such as manual lifting, office ergonomics, catering safety and
health, and hearing conservation in non-manufacturing sectors. It
continued to provide consultancy services, in particular for small
establishments on a cost-recovery basis, with high priority being given to
establishments in the non-industrial sector. A safety auditing office was
established to manage the Independent Safety Audit Scheme for
Government and Housing Authority construction projects.

Campaigns to arouse public interest included the 'Occupational Safety and
Health Week' held in October and November. There was increased
co-operation from district-based organisations in staging promotional
activities. Promotional campaigns on different themes in support of the
newly enacted Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance - such as
construction safety, office safety, manual handling and so on - were
launched throughout the year. Campaigns were also launched especially
for civil servants to increase their awareness of office safety and health.

The council produced safety and health literature, codes of practice and
guidebooks, a bi-monthly journal Green Cross, safety advice pamphlets,
posters and bulletins for individual industries. A comprehensive library
with a collection of up-to-date videos, journals, microfilms, books and
magazines on occupational safety and health is open for public use. The
council's database can also be accessed via the fax-on-demand and
Internet network.

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