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38 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE REPORT 2020 ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY 39

regular meetings of these committees. The details of Our accident frequency rate increased in 2020
Management our HSE management structure are available on our Progress because of a number of incidents in Hong Kong,
Approach corporate website. Areas including one in December 2020 when six employees
were injured in an industrial accident caused by a
Various reporting channels and promotion schemes, third-party gas pipe damage in Wan Chai. In order
We are committed to protecting our staff, contractors, such as our HSE Suggestion Scheme, Near- Enhancing Safety to prevent the recurrence of a similar accident, a
customers and the general public against health and miss Reporting Programme and Instant Messaging Performance and Awareness thorough investigation was conducted to identify the
safety risks. This commitment and our approach HSE Reporting Channel, have been set up so root causes and key learnings from this case. Drawing
to safety management are clearly outlined in our During the year, we continued to work ceaselessly to on what we learned, we conducted a comprehensive
Corporate Health, Safety and Environment that employees and contractors can report work- improve our safety performance across Towngas. We review of the relevant operating procedures, as well
(HSE) Policy. related hazards and near-miss cases for rectification carried out 168 safety/loss prevention inspections to as our emergency preparedness and response.
and improvement. To encourage reporting, we We will advise our employees about the enhanced

Towngas aims for a record of zero accidents and fully reward workers who flag cases and provide ensure safety measures were in place and to maintain a procedures recommended in our review on handling
safe and healthy work environment.
complies with all relevant health and safety legislation. incentive schemes to contractors who demonstrate specific types of gas emergencies.
This goal is supported by an OSH management responsibility, awareness and a high level of safety
system, which is established in accordance with performance. In 2020, no fatalities occurred among our employees and In 2020, we held a series of Seasonal Occupational
international standards such as ISO 45001. The contractors as a result of an accident. Safety and Health Promotion training sessions.
system comprises a comprehensive register of risks Training and Awareness Provided every quarter, the training covers topics
to identify work-related hazards through risk analysis Since obtaining ISO 45001 certification in 2019, we
and risk evaluation, as well as control measures for A standard training procedure has been established have been assisting our subsidiaries, including ECO such as infectious disease control, prevention of
continual improvement. In the event of an accident, that enables us to determine the needs of our workers and U-Tech Engineering Company Limited (U-tech), heat stroke, and work stress management. When
we will conduct an investigation to determine the and assess their competence, knowledge and to become ISO certified. In 2020, both subsidiaries training programmes could not be taught in a face-to-
cause and identify ways to prevent its recurrence ability to understand the hazards, risks and control successfully received certification. face setting, as was the case during the COVID-19
under a hierarchy of control framework. pandemic, we made extensive use of electronic
measures associated with their work. platforms and webinars to deliver programme
The following graphics show the safety performance of
A Corporate Health and Safety Manual is also in place our employees and contractors in Hong Kong in 2020. materials.
to outline the framework of the OSH management To help our staff and contractors deepen their
system, with standard operating procedures and understanding of our safety culture, we organise Reportable Accidents 1 We also organised a number of OSH programmes
detailed guidelines. These documents are regularly training courses, workshops and activities. A Towngas for contractors, including a training session and the
reviewed and updated to ensure our practices comply HSE and Caring Programme is also in place to 2020 Safe Foreman Award event, to promote accident
with the latest industrial practices and government provide mentorship and HSE training for new joiners. Accidents prevention and OSH supervision.
regulations. Additionally, we make the Towngas Contractor Safety Employees 18
Handbook available to our contractors and provide Contractors 11 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our annual joint
In mainland China, we have helped our joint venture free safety briefings to their staff operating in various
(JV) partners to establish in-house corporate safety roles. Examples include safety for work above ground 1 Accidents that result in incapacity for more than three days safety programme organised with our mainland China
standards and provided guidelines for improving and in confined spaces, as well as excavation work JVs — the HSE Walk — was cancelled this year.
safety management. Nevertheless, we continued to help our mainland
close to our gas pipelines.
Accident Frequency Rate 2 China operations catch up with currently recognised
Monitoring and Reporting In our training programmes and before a new project OSH standards and standardise their OSH
begins, we inform workers about any associated Accident 2020 management.
Frequency Rate
The health and safety performance of the Company Employees 0.32
is monitored by the Corporate Sustainability safety and health concerns there might be and the
Department as well as the Corporate Safety and emergency handling procedures they should take. Contractors 0.25
Quality Management Steering Committee. We have Health and safety messages are disseminated 2
11 HSE Committees to provide opportunities for through communication channels such as Towngas Number of accidents per 100,000 man-hours
two-way communication on safety and health issues. publications, emails and online library.
Management, supervisory staff, non-managerial
staff and contractors are invited to participate in the