A total of 6,676 catering industrial-accidents were recorded in the first three quarters last year, down 4.3% from 6,977 in the same period of 2006.

Commissioner for Labour Cherry Tse said the accident rate per 1,000 staff stood at 43.9, a 7.8% dip from 47.6.

She was speaking at today's Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme award presentation ceremony. The event attracted record high participation of 227 eligible catering establishments and the nomination of 180 qualified management staff for the supervisor award. It was first organised in 1999.

Mrs Tse said the catering industry's work safety and health performance had improved significantly from 1999 to 2006, with industrial accidents falling 25.9% - from 12,549 in 1999 to 9,294 in 2006.

While delighted to see the downward trend in the industry's work injuries, Mrs Tse said the number has topped all trades since 2000, with the major causes being hand tool injuries, contact with hot surfaces or substances, and slipping, tripping or falling.

Multi-pronged approach to raise safety

As the number of catering establishments and staff will rise due to recent economic prosperity, the Government will continue to work together with stakeholders to adopt a multi-pronged approach - legislation and enforcement, training and education, publicity and promotion - to raise work safety and health awareness.

To encourage proper use of personal protective equipment to prevent accidents, the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety & Health Council jointly launched a 'Cut Resistant Gloves and Slip Resistant Shoes Sponsorship Scheme' in October for small and medium-sized catering establishments.