1.       The EPD's policies and programmes affect people's lives in several ways. As described elsewhere in this report, we help to raise awareness and participation in environmental programmes through partnerships, community programmes, education and stakeholder engagement. We also have direct impacts on public health. Our air quality programme includes the publication of air pollution indices with precautionary advice to protect public health. Our monitoring programme on beach water quality also includes a grading system for indicating health risks and informing the public. In 2005 we also sought to protect public safety by improving guidelines for manholes related to our work.

2.       Our social impacts also extend to our staff. We have programmes to protect their health and safety and encourage their professional development, as described below.

Safety and Health

3.       The EPD was the first government department to receive certification under the Occupational Safety and Health Council's Continual Improvement Safety Programme Recognition of System in 2001, and the certificate was renewed in 2004.

4.      Our occupational injury rate has been kept to a very low level as compared with the rate for all major economic activities. In 2005 we had an average of about 3.7 incidents per 1 000 workers, whereas that for all major economic activities was about 18 per 1 000 workers as reported by the Labour Department in 2004. The incidents mainly involved road traffic accidents, slipping, tripping or falling, insect bites, or injury while lifting or carrying. These problems were generally caused by low alertness and inexperience so we are providing more training and awareness programmes to staff.

5.       We carried out annual safety audits and have designated Group Safety Representatives for each group to look after safety and health matters. In 2005 we provided safety and health training to 422 staff.

Training and Development

6.       All new staff are briefed on our green management measures as part of their induction training. Professional development courses are also offered to existing staff. In 2005 we organised over 40 courses on various environmental topics for about 800 colleagues, as well as conferences and workshops to advance professional knowledge. EPD professional staff received an average of 5.6 days of training in 2005, while technical staff received an average of 7.3 days.

7.       The EPD contributes to the development of the environmental engineering profession through its Environmental Graduate Training Scheme. We have been certified for the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' "Scheme A Training" since 1997. So far 27 environmental engineering graduates have received on-the-job training with the EPD, of whom 18 completed their training in 2005.

Staff Awareness

8.       Staff are encouraged to participate in various environmental schemes. In the workplace, that includes recycling and energy-saving schemes (see Chapter 6 - Part B ), as well as contributing green ideas through our Departmental Staff Suggestion Scheme. Outside the workplace, our staff committee organises environmental programmes for staff and their families, which in 2005 included Eco-tours to Nam Sang Wai Wetland and Hoi Ha Marine Park and a tour to Ocean Park.