The Labour Department today thanked the Office of the Ombudsman for affirming the department’s numerous effective efforts to enhance occupational safety and health (OSH) in the construction industry.
In its direct investigation report into the Government’s regulation of OSH in the construction industry, the Ombudsman recognised the department’s work, including amending the relevant legislation to raise the maximum penalties for OSH offences and revising the codes of practice to strengthen safety requirements for specific work processes.
The department’s work in conducting special enforcement operations to curb unsafe work practices, improving mandatory safety training courses and enhancing the supervision of course providers as well as promoting a culture of safety via various channels was also acknowledged.
Meanwhile, the department is taking follow-up action on the report’s recommendations, including a planned trial with small unmanned aircraft to assist in law enforcement in the second half of this year, in addition to exploring the adoption of speech-to-text technology to assist in taking statements to enhance the efficiency of evidence collection.
It will also broaden the participation of safety committee meetings to cover high-risk private construction sites with a poor safety performance; strengthen monitoring of safety practitioners to ensure they discharge their duties cautiously; and enhance the monitoring of mandatory safety training course providers and instructors’ performance.
Additionally, the Labour Department will actively study and follow up on other recommendations raised by the Ombudsman, and strengthen collaboration with the Development Bureau and the Buildings Department.
It will continue to adopt the three-pronged strategy of inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion, and education and training, complemented by the application of technology to actively foster OSH in the construction industry and enhance workers’ safety awareness.
