Occupational Health and Safety
Employees’ health and safety are our top priorities and we make every effort towards zero workplace accidents. In addition to offering relevant training and education programmes to our staff, a Health and Safety Policy is in place to maintain and monitor safety performance. Chaired by the Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities), the Health and Safety Committee oversees the implementation of PolyU’s health and safety policy while promoting safe practices and general awareness for health issues within the University. The Health, Safety and Environment Office (HSEO) is responsible for coordinating all procedures, guidelines, and codes of practice regarding all issues related to occupational health and safety.
With an aim to improve internal communication, regular meetings and correspondence are conducted between the HSEO, the Departmental Health and Safety Officers (DHSOs), and other safety personnel. To alert the University community about on-campus safety updates, the newsletter “We-Safety” is issued quarterly, covering safety-related information and news on maintaining the safety of the University community. DHSOs and safety personnel from different departments regularly exchange ideas on health and safety issues at the “Safety Salon”, an informal staff sharing platform. Soliciting feedback from internal stakeholders through regular engagement platforms and seminar series, PolyU continues to update internal occupational health and safety guidelines and protocols to drive health and safety performance.
Themed Safety Training on Campus
To raise staff awareness for occupational health and safety, an array of programmes and activities were organized during the annual Safety Week between 13 and 23 November 2018. Under the theme “Safe University・SMART Community”, the campaign aimed to heighten safety alertness on campus and provided the University community with the latest information on how the HSEO and various action offices make every effort to keep PolyU safe. The event comprised a variety of activities, including site visits, seminars, talks, workshops, exhibitions, competition, and interactive game booths.
Apart from Safety Week, HSEO organized Laboratory Safety Day on 29 March 2019 to enhance safety awareness for hazards and risk management in laboratories. Over 200 laboratory users participated in a series of activities, including a seminar and an online quiz. Through the “Be a Laboratory Safety Inspector” Competition, participants took on the challenge to identify good practices and hazards in a pre-set laboratory environment.
The University’s efforts in raising employees’ awareness on occupational, health and safety have earned wide recognition and international accolades, as tabulated below:
- Gold Award by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents of the United Kingdom
- Safety Performance Award (other industries category) and Safety Promotion Award (Bronze) at the 17th Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health Award
- Joyful@Healthy Workplace Best Practices Award (Enterprise/Organization) — Grand Award and Innovative Measures Award in the 14th Occupational Health Award
- One of 10 organizations with the highest participation rate in the Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme 2018, organized by the Environmental Protection Department