The Labour Department is recruiting volunteers aged 17 or above for its occupational safety project for small and medium-sized enterprises to be launched on June 14.

The Customer Service Teams Project aims to boost SME employees' awareness of occupational safety and health. About 98% of enterprises in Hong Kong are run by SMEs that employ less than 50 employees. These SMEs provide job opportunities for more than 1.3 million people.

This year, about 250 volunteers will visit 15,000 non-industrial SMEs to promote occupational safety and health over the next four months. These SMEs cover a range of businesses, including business services, retail, welfare institutes, medical, dental and other health services as well as sanitary services.

Volunteers will disseminate safety and health messages and distribute publicity materials on occupational safety and health as well as relevant safety laws. This will help SMEs understand their legal obligations. A questionnaire will be used to assess the basic knowledge of those in charge of SMEs of safety and health at work.

Volunteers who are aged 17 or above and have attained secondary or tertiary level education are welcome to join the project. They must attend a one-day training course to learn about the project, basic safety laws and communication skills before the start of their service. They will be presented with certificates on completion of the project.

Project details available online

To view project details and download the enrolment form, click here. For enquiries, call the Labour Department on 2852 3565/2852 4970 or the Social Welfare Department on 2116 3417/2234 0100.

The Labour Department has been running the project jointly with the Social Welfare Department since 1999, with more than 67,000 SMEs visited.