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China

The 9th National Safety Week in China

Following the success of previous National Safety Weeks in China, the Chinese Government held the 9th National Safety Week on 9-15 May 1999, the theme being "Safety, Life, Stability and Development". Many activities and campaigns were carried out during the Safety Week in order to promote safe work and increase safety awareness. The main activities are described below.

Firstly, full use was made of a wide range of activities. On 9 May, for example, senior officials from the State Economic and Trade Commission of the People's Republic of China (SETC) and the Beijing Municipal Labor Bureau came to the Xidan street, the most famous commercial centre in Beijing, to promote safety by answering questions raised by passers-by. Similar activities were also organized in other cities during the Safety Week.

Secondly, popular media such as pictures, brochures, slogans, broadcasting, newspapers, and TV were used to disseminate knowledge concerning safety. Reporters of the "Economic Half Hour", a famous programme broadcast by China Central Television, interviewed Mr. Shan Chunchang, the director general of the Bureau of Work Safety, SECT. He stressed the importance of safe work in the course of production and stated that every effort should be made to improve working conditions and ensure the safety of workers. At the same time, Beijing TV station and some other local TV stations reported on the various activities of the National Safety Week.

Thirdly, an Internet safety awareness campaign, China Safety-On-Line, was launched. Workers with access to the Internet were encouraged to take part in the nationwide campaign. It is estimated that over one million people responded to a total of 100 questions. Prizes are to be awarded.

1999 is the crucial year as we march into the 21st century. It is hoped that the Safety Week will enhance safety with every passing month of the year.

China, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region

New legislation to safeguard workers

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulation (CSR) and new provisions of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (CSSR) relating to working at heights were approved by the Legislative Council on 20 January 1999 and 10 March 1999, respectively.

The CSR replaces the existing Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulations. It gives a clearer interpretation of "confined space", and it adds new provisions to provide better protection for workers engaged in such work. These provisions include the following points:

• Confined space work shall only be carried out by certified workers.
• A competent person shall be appointed to conduct a risk assessment and recommend safety and health measures for work in a confined space work before the work is undertaken.
• A proprietor shall certify that all necessary safety precautions have been taken before allowing workers to enter or remain in a confined space, and shall determine the period during which workers may safely remain there.
• Certain safety precautions shall be adopted before workers are allowed to enter the confined space and while they are working there.
• Approved breathing apparatus, reviving apparatus, a vessel containing oxygen or air, safety harness and ropes, and audio and visual alarms for alerting others outside the confined space shall be provided and kept readily available.
• Emergency procedures shall be formulated to deal with serious and imminent danger to workers inside a confined space.
• Workers involved in confined space work shall be provided with the information, instruction and training necessary to ensure safety and health.

In order to allow proprietors sufficient time to prepare for compliance with the new regulation, the CSR will come into operation twelve months after its approval.

The new provisions of the CSSR aim at providing a greater degree of safety for persons working at construction sites, and in particular, for persons working at heights. Under the Regulation, contractor has a duty to make and keep safe every place of work at his site, and to take suitable and adequate steps to prevent falls from heights.

The new provisions will come into operation, repealing the existing ones, six months after their approval. The salient points of the new provisions are:

• to define work at heights;
• to define the safety standards to be achieved in respect of working platforms and measures for preventing falls from heights;
• to specify that a proper working platform shall be provided for work which has to be carried out at heights. If the provision of a working platform is not practicable, a safety net and safety harness shall be used. A safety harness alone shall only be used when the provision of both a working platform and a safety net are shown to be impracticable.
• to impose the onus of demonstrating the impracticability of using a working platform or safety net on the contractor; and
• to prohibit the use of boatswain's chairs (not power-operated) and similar equipment.

Programme to publicize hearing conservation

A six-month publicity programme was launched in December 1998 by the Labour Department, the Construction Industry Training Authority, the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board in order to heighten the awareness of employers and employees with regard to noise-induced hearing loss and preventive measures. Some 1.5 million was expended on running the programme, which comprised the following promotional and educational activities:

• The launching ceremony, which took place on 13 December 1998. In addition to the opening event, the launching ceremony featured a variety show and an exhibition of ear protectors.
• The broadcasting of Announcements of Public Interest on radio and television, to bring noise hazards and hearing conservation to the attention of the public.
• The posting of advertisements on hearing protection in Mass Transit Railway stations and public buses. Posters containing the same message were displayed at construction sites, factories and various poster sites.
• The distribution of leaflets entitled 'Noise and You' and 15,000 hearing conservation kits to employers and employees at noisy workplaces. The hearing conservation kits contained hearing protectors, posters and guidelines on hearing conservation.
• The appointment of two hearing conservation ambassadors. These ambassadors, together with Legislative Councellors and representatives of the organizers, visited noisy workplaces to promote the importance of hearing conservation.
• The holding of roadshows at large shopping centres, to spread the message to all sectors of the population.
• The organization of safety talks for employers and employees of relevant trades through employers' associations, trade unions and the Occupational Safety and Health Council. The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department also organized legislation-related training courses.
• The provision of free audiometric tests for workers employed in noisy workplaces. Workers were also briefed on adverse effects of noise and protection of hearing.
• The publication of feature articles in newspapers. Employers and employees in noise-affected trades were invited to share with professionals their experiences involving hearing conservation and the effects of noise.

Mongolia

With financial support from the ILO's Beijing office a workshop was successfully held in Ulaanbaatar on 11-12 May 1999. A total of 55 persons - members of the national OSH network and also relevant representatives from the provinces - participated.

The objectives of the meeting were to allow network member agencies:

• to share information of their recent activities and achievements;
• to discuss ways of making more effective use of the national and international OSH network;
• determine ways of extending the OSH network into the provinces; and
• to draw up an action plan for 1999-2000 with the aim of strengthening OSH information systems.

In this connection, I should like to emphasize the importance of the presentation on OSH network management given by Ms. Pia Markkanen.

The proposals emerging from the workshop were as follows:

1. Opportunities for establishing local connections between the National CIS Center, CMTU, MONEF, the Mongolian Labour Movement and other interested organizations and institutions should be investigated.

2. The possibility of creating local networks through employment offices in the provinces should be studied.

3. A specific procedure for the compilation and sharing of members' information resources should be designed.

4. A council to undertake advocacy activities should be set up.

5. The National CIS Centre should be expanded and strengthened as an in-service methodological training centre for OSH and other related areas.

Singapore

First Noise Control Awards

Noise is one of the main occupational health hazards in industry. Exposure to excessive noise can cause noise-induced hearing loss. In Singapore, an estimated 67,000 workers in 1,700 factories are exposed to excessive noise. Each year, nearly 1,000 workers are found to be suffering from hearing loss as a result of long-term exposure to excessive noise.

Companies are required to reduce or eliminate the noise hazard under the Factories (Noise) Regulations, 1996. To assist companies in defraying the cost involved in implementing effective engineering noise control measures, a tax incentive scheme was recently introduced. This provides for a one-year accelerated depreciation allowance, which means that capital expenditure on noise control measures can be written off in one year if certain criteria are met.

To increase awareness of the noise hazard and to give added impetus to noise control, the Ministry of Manpower has introduced the Noise Control Awards (NCA) as a token of recognition for companies that excel in noise control or that have achieved significant noise reduction through engineering measures.

Two types of NCA are given biennially - the Excellence Award and the Merit Award.

• The Excellence Award is given to companies that show outstanding achievements in noise control at the workplace. In order for a firm to qualify for this award, the noise level throughout the premises must be below 85 dBA, the noise reduction should amount to at least 6 dBA per source and the total noise reduction should be at least 10 dBA.
• The Merit Award is presented to companies that show significant achievements in noise control at the workplace. The criteria are similar to those for the Excellence Award except that the noise level at the premises must be below 90 dBA, and an effective hearing conservation programme must have been implemented.

Engineering noise control measures must be used to achieve the requisite noise reductions. These measures include: modifications to machines or processes; enclosing of noise sources; erecting of sound barriers; application of damping materials; installation of silencers or active noise control devices; reduction of vibration surfaces; replacement of noisy machinery; application of innovative or creative technology.

Companies that have implemented measures to eliminate or reduce noise and have met the criteria described above can apply for the NCA. A panel of judges evaluates the applications and decides on the type of award to be given. The panel comprises representatives of the government, employers' and employees' organizations, academia, and technical and professional institutions.

The first NCA presentation was held on 26 March 1999 at a Conference cum Exhibition on Industrial Noise Control. Three companies received the Excellence Award and four were given the Merit Award. The conference featured innovative and alternative noise control technologies and showcased successful instances of noise control. More than 150 participants attended the Conference, which was under the auspices of the Minister of State for Manpower, Mr Othman Haron Eusofe.

For more information on the NCA, please visit the Website at http://www.gov.sg/mom/dih/nca.html  

New legislation to safeguard workers

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulation (CSR) and new provisions of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (CSSR) relating to working at heights were approved by the Legislative Council on 20 January 1999 and 10 March 1999, respectively.

The CSR replaces the existing Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulations. It gives a clearer interpretation of "confined space", and it adds new provisions to provide better protection for workers engaged in such work. These provisions include the following points:

• Confined space work shall only be carried out by certified workers.
• A competent person shall be appointed to conduct a risk assessment and recommend safety and health measures for work in a confined space work before the work is undertaken.
• A proprietor shall certify that all necessary safety precautions have been taken before allowing workers to enter or remain in a confined space, and shall determine the period during which workers may safely remain there.
• Certain safety precautions shall be adopted before workers are allowed to enter the confined space and while they are working there.
• Approved breathing apparatus, reviving apparatus, a vessel containing oxygen or air, safety harness and ropes, and audio and visual alarms for alerting others outside the confined space shall be provided and kept readily available.
• Emergency procedures shall be formulated to deal with serious and imminent danger to workers inside a confined space.
• Workers involved in confined space work shall be provided with the information, instruction and training necessary to ensure safety and health.

In order to allow proprietors sufficient time to prepare for compliance with the new regulation, the CSR will come into operation twelve months after its approval.

The new provisions of the CSSR aim at providing a greater degree of safety for persons working at construction sites, and in particular, for persons working at heights. Under the Regulation, contractor has a duty to make and keep safe every place of work at his site, and to take suitable and adequate steps to prevent falls from heights.

The new provisions will come into operation, repealing the existing ones, six months after their approval. The salient points of the new provisions are:

• to define work at heights;
• to define the safety standards to be achieved in respect of working platforms and measures for preventing falls from heights;
• to specify that a proper working platform shall be provided for work which has to be carried out at heights. If the provision of a working platform is not practicable, a safety net and safety harness shall be used. A safety harness alone shall only be used when the provision of both a working platform and a safety net are shown to be impracticable.
• to impose the onus of demonstrating the impracticability of using a working platform or safety net on the contractor; and
• to prohibit the use of boatswain's chairs (not power-operated) and similar equipment.

Vietnam

Vietnam Holds its First National OSH Week

In line with a proposal put forward by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), the Government of Vietnam has endorsed the first National OSH Week, which was held this year during the celebration of the International Day of Labourers.

The National Co-ordination Committee of the National OSH Week has been appointed. It is chaired by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, Minister at MOLISA. The vice-chairmen of the Committee are the Standing Vice-President of the VGCL, the Vice-Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, the Vice-Ministers of the MOLISA, the MOH and the Police. Also participating in the work of the National Co-ordination Committee are representatives of other ministries - those dealing with culture, information, finance, planning & investment, agriculture and rural development issues - the Vietnamese television station, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam National Union of Co-operatives.

Before the National OSH Week, all means of mass media - from the central national level to the local level - often publicized news items pertaining to the OSH situation throughout the country.

The opening ceremony of the National OSH Week took place in Hanoi on 3 May 1999. Deputy Prime Minister Ngo Xuan Loc gave the opening speech, affirming that the National OSH Week is one step towards a common pledge of co-operation between employees, employers, organizations and all levels of administration and authorities to ensure safety and health for the workers and for the whole community as well. On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Ngo Xuan Loc expressed sincere thanks to international organizations, governments and non-governmental organizations - especially the UNDP, the ILO and the WHO - for their valuable assistance and co-operation in the field of OSH. A speech was also made by Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, Minister at MOLISA.

In his speech Professor Nguyen An Luong, Standing Vice-President of the VGCL, emphasized the Government's role and active participation. He also stressed the achievements made in all aspects of OSH work made by the Vietnamese trade union organizations, thereby promoting the safety and health of Vietnamese workers.

Many other useful activities took place during the National OSH Week. To name only a few, these included a competition on OSH knowledge, which had more than 400,000 participants, a meeting among personnel involved in OSH work and an OSH exhibition.

The National OSH Week has received widespread support in all industries and provinces throughout the country. It became a major event for workers, and it sparked enthusiasm for ensuring occupational safety and health through the formulation and implementation of a nationwide OSH action programme.

New Regulation on Occupational Safety and Health for businesses and production plants

On 31 October 1998, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids & Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour signed a joint circular, No 14/1998/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BYT-TLDLDVN, which provides guidance for organizations carrying out occupational safety and health (OSH) activities in businesses and production plants. This circular applies to all State-owned enterprises, service and business establishments operating in different economic sectors. It also applies to enterprises in which foreign capital has been invested, enterprises located in export processing zones, administration, organizations of a political or social nature, and the army and police forces.

The circular specifies the responsibilities and rights of OSH councils, OSH units, and OSH networks in enterprises, and provides advice for these instances. According to the circular, the employer's representative serves as chairman of the local OSH council, with the trade union representative serving as the vice-chairman and the head of the OSH unit serving as a member of the local OSH council.

The medical and labour protection personnel requirements set down in the circular are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. The medical and labour protection personnel requirements

The circular also requires the establishment of an OSH network at each enterprise, and the appointment of a safety and health activist at the workplace. In addition, it explains how to prepare an OSH plan, it specifies the rights and responsibilities of the trade union organization at an enterprise, it describes the self-control of OSH by the enterprise itself, it provides guidance with regard to reporting accidents and keeping accident statistics, etc.

Establishments should set prices for their products and service that are sufficient to cover all expenses incurred for arranging the medical services and OSH activities spelled out in this circular.

The circular includes four annexes specifying the responsibilities in OSH activities, the content and forms of self-control by the enterprise, the content of an OSH plan and the accident report form.

Asian-Pacific Newsletter 2/1999 p.52-55