Sustainability Report 2012 • 47
Mainland China
As with our safety activities in Hong Kong, our
OSH activities on the mainland are based on
a structured programme, supported by strict
guidelines and best practices, training, operational
drills and safety exercises, as well as promotional
and motivational campaigns to drive a safety
mindset and improve safety behaviour. Underlining
our commitment to these activities, 25 projects
have obtained received their OHSAS 18001
certification as of 2012.
Activities during the year included a “Four
Character Classic” safety promotion campaign,
which was held throughout our city-gas ventures
on the mainland, as well as a gas safety and
occupational safety health quiz in eastern
China and the Jiangxi region, which brought in
the participation of some 20 businesses. HSE
workshops, which attracted more than 400
participants, were also organised in Maanshan and
Dalian. A special workshop too was held for senior
management and members of the risk assessment
committee to formulate further strategies for
controlling and reducing risk.
Towngas deserves credit for ensuring a safe
working environment for contractors with
their stringent standards for occupational
health and safety. They exceeded
industry standards for example, with their
requirement for a full-time safety officer
to monitor the HVAC system retrofit that
took place at their headquarters building
recently. Their work systems ensure that
relevant approvals are obtained and risk
management measures and procedures
defined before the commencement of a
project.
Rocky Lau
Service Manager, A/C Section
ATAL Building Services Engineering Limited
Safety committees are responsible for safety in
our individual businesses on the mainland and,
ensuring that safety is both given and receives
the topmost attention, all safety managers report
directly to General Managers. This safety priority
is further heightened by the direct involvement
of the highest levels of management – monthly
safety meetings are conducted and personal
safety inspections are carried out throughout
our operations under “General Manager
Monthly Safety and Risk Management Inspection
Programme”. These inspections conducted by
General Managers themselves cover 17 different
health, safety and environmental aspects
throughout the business spectrum.
In view of ECO’s rapidly expanding business
portfolio, the company has seen a surge in its
safety activities. Firstly, the company established
two HSE safety steering committees – one for
its Hong Kong businesses and the other for its
mainland and overseas activities. The “General
Manager Monthly Safety and Risk Management
Inspection Programme”was also extended to ECO’s
compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations. With
more than 70 inspections being carried out, some
100 deficiencies were identified for rectification.
Looking forward, a safety audit system for these
filling stations is also being implemented.
In addition to regular fire and safety inspections
throughout its operations, safety training was held
for all employees, with more than 600 employees
attending these courses, at the Xiaoyugou coal
mine in Inner Mongolia. Table-top exercises at
the mine and at the methanol plant also helped
make sure that all emergency systems at the two
sites are working well and up to speed. Twenty-
eight safety and risk management personnel also
attended a four-day gas safety and fire-fighting
course conducted by the Fire Services Department
in Hong Kong.
