Experience Sharing Seminar on “Occupational Safety and Health”

Tuesday, 26 October 2004

Programme

2:30 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. Opening address by Mr Christopher K B WONG, DeputySecretary for the Civil Service

2:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. Presentation of Certificates of Commendation andsouvenirs

2:50 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. Hongkong Post - Improving Occupational Safety andHealth Awareness of Bicycle Delivery Beats

3:10 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Airport Authority Hong Kong - Airport Lightning WarningSystem and Aircraft Grounding Points at Apron ParkingStands

3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. MTR Corporation Ltd - Safety Champion - SafetyImprovement Identification Scheme

3:50 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd- Display Screen Equipment Project

4:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Break

4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. Castle Peak Hospital - Safety Management System

4:50 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. The Hongkong Electric Co Ltd - Safety Promotion - Keyto Fostering Organisation Safety Culture

5:10 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Leisure and Cultural Services Department - SafetyManagement System of Hong Kong Science Museum

Opening Ceremony

Experience Sharing Seminar

Hongkong Post

Improving Occupational Safety and Health Awareness of Bicycle Delivery Beats

There are at present a total of 104 postmen serving the extensive and scattered rural areas with

narrow footpaths in Hong Kong by using bicycle. Due to rapid development and economic tie with

the Mainland, roads surrounding these rural areas are now carrying more and more traffic. The

hazards in riding bicycle on these roads with increased vehicle traffic lead to a high work injury rate.

Some of the injuries were quite serious causing fracture in wrist and cellar bone. To improve the

occupational safety as well as the safety and health awareness among the bicycle delivery postmen,

an improvement program has been launched since late 2002.

Introduction of Newly Designed Bicycle

A new generation of bicycle made by alloy with built-in gear system, all-weather type braking system

has been developed. 16 prototype bicycles were on trial towards the end 2002. Through testing and

enhancement, the new model was extended to all offices.

Provision of Training and Regular Briefing

One-day bicycle training course on riding skills, simple maintenance skills as well as driving safety

was provided to 156 bicycle beat postmen including the leave substitutes in December 2003.

Furthermore, regular briefing on “Bicycle Safety” has been conducted to all bicycle beat postmen in

order to enhance their safety awareness.

Provision of Simple Maintenance Tools for Bicycle

Simple maintenance tools for bicycle is provided in every office with bicycle delivery beats. Postmen

are required to conduct daily routine check before their work. Any minor problems would be fixed to

avoid accidents.

Review on Serving Areas of Bicycle Delivery Beats

The serving areas of all bicycle delivery beats are regularly reviewed for converting into other delivery

modes. In the past two years, there has been a net decrease of six bicycle delivery beats.

Results

The staff awareness on safety and health has been significantly improved. Furthermore, the newly

designed bicycle reduces the accident rate. The number of sick leave days arising from bicycle

accident in the trial-run office decreased from 12 days in 2002 to 4 days in 2003. Moreover, the

maintenance cost for bicycles in the office was also decreased by 21%. It is expected that the

accident rate of bicycle delivery beats and the maintenance cost on the whole will be further reduced

after replacing all the existing bicycles in 2004.

Airport Authority Hong Kong

Airport Lightning Warning System and Aircraft Grounding Points at Apron Parking

Stands

Electric shocks as a result of lightning storms are a common hassle to people working in open

spaces such as airports. However, Hong Kong International Airport has eradicated such incidents

in the last financial year with the full implementation of a Precision Lightning Warning System (PLWS).

Prior to PLWS, there were a number of injuries caused by lightning every year, especially in stormy

summer season. The health and security of everyone at the airport is of prime concern to the Airport

Authority. It designed and installed the system and earthing receptacles to enhance safety measure

to protect workers.

PLWS is a detection system connected to local electric field mills as well as power company’s detection

radar that watches the whole Pearl River Delta area. The system then classifies the seriousness of

lightning strike threats to the HKIA.

When a Red alert is raised, an audiovisual alarm is displayed at every aircraft stand and the air

traffic control room to warn airport staff. In addition, the system to airport control centres, luggage

service contractors and airline agents automatically distribute the lightning status by facsimile. The

whole airport business is now covered by the benefit of the system.

Earthing receptacles provide backup protection to airport staff when lightning hits an aircraft. This

is a device that connects the aircraft to the earthing pit on the apron to discharge excess electricity

to the ground. In what is know as “flash over,” electric current will seek the fastest route to the

ground via, hence the earthing cable. Hence, if someone is working under the aircraft, he will not be

affected by electric shock due to lightning.

MTR Corporation Ltd

“Safety Champion – Safety Improvement Identification Scheme”

While MTR’s Rolling Stock Maintenance Department (RSMD) has implemented various safety

improvement schemes, such as Safety Suggestion Scheme and Job Safety Analysis, etc., minor

injuries still occasionally occurred. Thorough investigation revealed that most of the accidents were

caused by carelessness of staff and environmental hazards which can be eliminated in advance.

To achieve continuous improvement in safety performance and zero accident at workplace, RSMD

introduced a new safety enhancement scheme called “Safety Improvement Identification” in 2002.

The identification process covers 5 major areas : people, equipment, materials, work processes and

environment. By active observation of their trained safety champions, the process aims to identify

any potential safety hazard at a very initial stage, and correct promptly through coaching to avoid

the occurrence of an accident. Regular experience sharing sessions were held among safety

champions to enhance their skills and safety awareness for performing the task effectively.

The scheme was first launched as pilot run at Siu Ho Wan Depot with 14 safety champions

participating. It subsequently rolled out to the Rolling Stock Workshop at Kowloon Bay Depot in

2003.

A total of 452 process identification reports were completed in 2002-03 and the percentage of safety

improvement identified increased from 43% in 2002 to 76% in 2003. In 2004, 34 safety champions

have joined the scheme and it is expected that around 400 identification reports will be completed.

The scheme has contributed to a remarkable safety performance and enhanced safety awareness

of staff. Both staff accident rate and man-day loss have significantly improved over the years. It

also provides an effective channel for the frontline colleagues to work towards “zero” accident through

proactively identifying and timely correcting any potential hazards at work.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd

We Care Initiatives – HSBC DSE Project

Introduction

With the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health (Display Screen Equipment) [OSH (DSE)]

Regulation in April 2002, HSBC had to comply with the regulatory requirements. HSBC is a big

organization with 17,000+ staff (including subsidiaries) in Hong Kong, the launch of the DSE Program

was a complicated issue. However, with the commitment of senior management, HSBC managed to

overcome all obstacles and the DSE program was proven to be a great success.

Implementation

The problems the introduction of the DSE program faced were a) a large population, b) scattered

work locations (over 190 branches and teams), c) operational time clashes and d) senior and middle

management’s limited knowledge of DSE making it difficult to seek their buy-in. To get management

buy-in the OSH Team in HSBC conducted a series of briefing sessions for senior management to put

them in picture and invited middle managers to attend working meetings so that they could voice

their concerns and share their ideas.

In addition, HSBC deployed various innovative initiatives for this project such as i) designing an e-

learning program to train all DSE users, ii) training 700+ DSE risk assessors so that they could

perform risk assessments for their own colleagues, and iii) integrating elements of the Bank’s ‘We

Care’ philosophy into the program.

Conclusion and achievements

Before the DSE Regulation was enforced in July 2003, HSBC had trained up all 13,000+ DSE users

and performed risk assessments for their workstations. Internally, staff welcomed the program as

ergonomic standard, working environments were improved and health risks to staff were largely

reduced. The program was later introduced to China operations as managements saw the benefits

of looking after the health and well-being of employees even though there are no legal requirements

to do this in China. Externally, the program received a lot of recognition. Green Cross Magazine

covered the program widely and the Green Cross Group arranged bench marking visits to HSBC for

experience sharing. HSBC also shared its success with other organizations during OSH events.

This program has enhanced the productivity of staff and increased their safety awareness. More

importantly, it has motivated staff to participate in various OSH initiatives organized by the OSH

Council and the internal OSH Team. The participation rate of staff and their feedbacks have been

encouraging. All in all, the most remarkable aspect of the project was turning a legal compliance

issue into a caring program, which fully demonstrates that HSBC is a caring organization.

Castle Peak Hospital

Safety Management System

Introduction

Starting from 2001, Castle Peak Hospital has been actively participated in the occupational safety

and health (OSH). In the OSH Enhancement Forum organized by OSH Council, Silver Award had

been granted in the Safety Management System (Others). In 2002, our “Return to Work Program”

had been awarded as Silver Award in the Safety Project Award. This year (2004), with the strong

support of hospital management, we think our staff are ready to implement a OSH.

OHSAS 18001 : 1999

There are various OSH systems in the world from which we could make reference. The Administrative

Services Department of Castle Peak Hospital decided to build up the OSH System in according with

OHSAS 18001 : 1999 in January 2003 with the following scope :

• General Administrative Services

• Supporting Services (including cleansing services, transportation and security)

• Facilities Management and Commissioning

• Procurement and Material Management

• Medical Record Office

• Human Resources Unit

• Information Technology Office

• Main Kitchen and Staff Canteen

• Linen Exchange Unit

• Library

• Telephone Operator

Conclusion

The total staff number of the above services amount to around 220 full time staff with additional 35

staff from outside contractor. With the joint effort of all staff over one year, we have finally accredited

the OHSAS 18001 : 1999 in December 2003. As we all know that we have experienced SARS from

March till August 2003, our staff still showed strong team work to overcome the huge workload to

work towards a safe and healthy working environment.

Our believe is that under a comprehensive OSH system, a positive safety culture could be cultivate.

Without a positive safety culture, any safety program or project would become superficial and would

not be long lasting. This belief, supported by our senior management, makes the Administrative

Service Department of Castle Peak Hospital become the first Public Hospital in Hong Kong that

successfully accredited by the OHSAS 18001 : 1999.

The Hongkong Electric Co Ltd

Safety Promotion – Key to Fostering Organisation Safety Culture

Introduction

The Hongkong Electric Co. Ltd (HEC) is supplying electricity to customers on Hong Kong, Apleichau

and Lamma Islands.The key activities of power delivery service include construction, operation and

maintenance of power system networks, trench excavation, cable laying and jointing as well as

metering work. Because of job nature of these activities, potential hazards such as electric shocks

and burns, tripping and fall of person from height could occur if these activities are not safely managed.

Although the concerned hazards have been systematically identif ied, properly mitigated and

controlled, HEC firmly believes safety promotion is indispensable for fostering organization safety

culture and is crucial for maintaining/enhancing workplace safety.

With the commitment and support from Senior Management, safety promotion activities are prioritized

and organized by experienced safety professionals according to the annual plan.

Outlines of Typical Safety Promotion Programmes

Job Safety Promotion

Safety briefing (tool box talk) is conducted at various workplaces daily by supervisors before work.

Annual Health and Safety (H&S) Month

Annual H&S Month with main theme is organized for employees and contractors. Following the

official opening of H&S Month by HEC senior management as well as senior officials of relevant

Government Departments, safety seminars, safety exhibitions, safety training/talks as well as safety

games focusing on the main theme are organized during the H&S Month.

Safety VCD, Video and Guidebook

With the expertise advice from reputable organizations like Labour Department and Occupational

Safety & Health Council (OSHC), safety VCDs, videos and guidebooks on specific themes have also

been produced in recent years.

Safety Broadcast

Various media for broadcasting of safety message including internal communication system of

company vehicles, electronic displays of health and safety message, safety posters and periodic

publishing of Safety Bulletin are used to enhance the effectiveness of safety promotion.

Health and Safety Corners

Health and Safety corners are set up at conspicuous places in various office buildings and workshops,

where publications/magazines from prestigious safety organizations are displayed to enrich

employees’ health and safety knowledge.

Safety Competitions and Games

Safety competitions and safety games such as safety poster competition and safety quiz are organized

regularly to stimulate the interest of employees in participation of the promotion activities. In addition,

our employees are encouraged to participate in various external safety related competitions, such

as Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health Award and Occupational Safety & Health Quiz

organized by OSHC, to share the safety experience with other companies.

Safety Incentive Scheme

Safety incentive schemes are adopted to encourage constructive safety suggestions as well as

enhancing safety performance at workplace.

Safety Ambassador Visits

In order to proactively collect safety suggestions and feedback from employees and contractors,

safety ambassador visits were introduced since mid-1990s. All safety suggestions collected are

actively pursued for enhancing the safety management system.

Achievements

Safety promotion programmes organized by HEC are concluded to be very effective and successful.

The objective of safety promotion in fostering the organization safety culture and maintaining/

enhancing safety awareness among employees and contractors in the organization is achieved as

reflected from the following :

• The safety performance for power delivery has been continually improving and the Disabling Injury

Frequency Rate remains at a very low level in the past few years.

• The concept of ownership of safety is progressively instilled in employees and contractor personnel.

• Active feedback from employees for safety enhancements.

Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Hong Kong Science Museum == Safety Management System

With the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Ordinance and the Factories &

Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation, the public consciousness of OSH sprouts

rapidly. The pursuing and demanding of safer working environment and condition for the staff in the

organizations becomes a priority in agenda. In the context of museums and OSH safety, some

questions have to be answered. What is the difference between a museum/cultural venue and a

common workplace? Can the safety management system (SMS) be effectively implemented in a

museum/cultural venue? What are the standards applicable to the museum/cultural venues?

To address these questions, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, with a funding support

from the Civil Service Bureau, engaged a consultant to carry out a feasibility study of one of the

museums and provide a “Safety Plan” for further developing into a SMS. The study was carried out

in early 2004 with on-site risk assessment, documents review, interviews and reference to international

trade practices. Furthermore, a gap analysis was conducted to identify the compliance with legal

health and safety requirement and conformity to best trade practices.

The study found that it should be possible to have all the scattered mini safety systems and information

be organized into a comprehensive SMS as outlined in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings

(Safety Management) Regulations having the 14-elements in place. A “Safety Plan” was developed

and will be used as a framework in implementing a complete SMS for the studied museum in future.