Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ10: Assault cases on the staff of FEHD while discharging duties
Following is a question by the Hon Federick Fung and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr E K Yeoh, in the Legislative Council today (July 10):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a) Of the number of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department ("FEHD") staff attacked while discharging duties in each of the past three years, and provide a breakdown by the type of duties they were discharging when being assaulted;
(b) Of the equipment currently provided and guidelines issued by the FEHD to its staff for safeguarding themselves; and
(c) Whether it regularly assesses the effectiveness of the aforesaid equipment and guidelines, and the risk of FEHD's staff being assaulted while discharging duties; if it has, of the outcome of the last assessment; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The number of assault cases on the staff of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department ("FEHD") while discharging duties since its establishment on 1 January 2000 is as follows -
Year | No. of assault cases |
2000 | 115 |
2001 | 128 |
2002 (up to June) | 73 |
A breakdown of these assault cases is at Annex. These assault cases are mainly associated with hawker control. The vast majority is minor in nature, such as abrasions and bruises caused by body contacts.
(b) To ensure staff safety while discharging their duties, FEHD provides them with necessary equipment according to the nature of the duties involved, including communication equipment, safety helmets, reflective vests, safety shoes, gloves, masks, shields and dog repellant spray. The department is currently procuring personal alarms for staff on enforcement duties. The alarms will be distributed to staff by mid-July.
FEHD runs a series of training courses for staff charged with enforcement duties on how to handle confrontation. These include prevention of acts of violence, self-defence, and skills in handling conflicts such as communication skills in handling angry clients and management of emotions in difficult situations, when taking enforcement action, .
The Department has also drawn up and distributed to all staff clear safety guidelines on all work areas.
(c) FEHD has all along accorded much emphasis to personal safety of its staff while on duty. A Departmental Safety Management Committee, chaired by Assistant Director (Administration) of the Department with members of relevant grades' representatives, has been set up since early 2000 to review regularly and improve the safety standard of their staff at work. At the meeting in April 2002, the Committee reviewed the equipment and safety guidelines provided to staff. The Committee recommended that the training provided for staff on handling conflicts and violent behaviour should be strengthened, and their work gear and communication equipment should be upgraded. The recommendations are being followed up. As mentioned in our reply to the LegCo question last week, its staff involved in enforcement action on the fixed penalty system have been so equipped already. FEHD will continue to assess the risks involved in their respective areas of work and take appropriate measures to protect themselves while on duty.
End/Wednesday, July 10, 2002
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