The Labour Department will step up workplace safety promotion after the number of occupational injuries rose 6% in 2006. Such injuries had shown a steady decline since 1998.

Deputy Commissioner for Labour (Occupational Safety & Health) Tso Sing-hin expressed concern after the total number of occupational injuries rose to 46,937 in 2006 from 44,267 in 2005.

The number of industrial accidents also recorded a slight increase, up 2.2% from 16,917 in 2005 to 17,286 in 2006. Fatal industrial accident numbers dropped from 29 in 2005 to 26 in 2006, but concerted efforts were needed to reduce the incidence of occupational injury and ill health, Mr Tso said today.

"We are committed to reducing the accident tolls by working with all stakeholders, including the Occupational Safety & Health Council, trade associations, workers unions, professional bodies and other government departments."

The high-risk construction industry recorded 3,400 industrial accidents in 2006, down  4.2% from 2005. In 2006, there were 16 construction fatalities, down from 25 in 2005. The accident rate per 1,000 workers in 2006 was 64.3, up from 59.9 in 2005.

There was a substantial increase in accidents involving repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works, with the figure up 12.5% from 1,509 in 2005 to 1,697 in 2006.

The catering industry continued to top all industries in terms of accident numbers. It recorded 9,294 cases in 2006, up 4.4% from 8,902 in 2005. The accident rate per 1,000 workers, however, dipped from 47.3 in 2005 to 47.2 in 2006.

Business services, including import and export trade, transport and related services and sanitary and similar services also recorded notable increases in accident figures, accounting for 56.3% of the increase in the total number of occupational injuries last year.

Mr Tso said the department will strengthen promotion and publicity to enhance employers' and employees' safety awareness, and to foster a stronger safety culture in workplaces.

It will stage campaigns to highlight scaffolding safety, and building renovation and maintenance works. Volunteers will also visit small and medium-sized enterprises to distribute safety messages.

Rigorous enforcement action would continue on high-risk operations and hazardous industries - such as working at height, safe use of plant and equipment, catering safety and container handling.