Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung has called for better workplace safety as the number of industrial accidents is on the rise.

Officiating at the 6th Occupational Safety & Health Awards today, Mr Cheung said there were 10,264 workplace injuries in the first quarter of this year, up 216 cases or 2.1% over the same period last year.

The construction industry saw 645 accidents, down 1.8% on the same period last year. However, the accident rate per 1,000 workers rose 7% to 51.2.

Mr Cheung urged employers and workers to stay vigilant to workplace safety.