Press Release on HA Signing of Safety Charter
Tuesday, November 3, 1998

Safety Charter Signed for 50,000 Health Care Workers

A Safety Charter was signed today (Tuesday, November 3) by the Hospital Authority (HA) to demonstrate its commitment to secure a healthy and safe environment for its 50,000 health care workers, thereby contributing to the delivery of quality services to the community.

At a ceremony this morning, the Charter was signed by the Commissioner for Labour, Miss Jacqueline Willis; the Vice-Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Dr T L Ng; the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr E K Yeoh; and representatives of HA's Staff Group Consultative Committees.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Yeoh said the signing of the Charter demonstrated the determination of the HA to implement occupational health and safety initiatives in working places. A set of implementation strategies and plans has already been drawn up, including the establishment of risk assessment teams; setting up of Hospital Safety Committees; appointment of Hospital Safety Coordinators; and organisation of training courses on occupational safety.

In the coming months, various types of workshops and seminars on occupational health and safety will be organised to promote proper manual handling, handling and storage of chemicals, and the application of risk assessment in working environment. Over 12,000 staff members will be trained on occupational safety and health.

According to the data collected by the HA, the commonest types of injury on duty of health care workers in public hospitals are sprains and strains; contusion and bruise; and laceration and cut. To address the potential health hazards in working places, advanced facilities have been installed and relevant operational guidelines and safety handbook compiled for hospital staff.