The number of industrial accidents decreased by 26 per cent in the first half of this year, but the incidence of fatal on-the-job accidents is on the rise.

According to statistics supplied by the Labour Department, 8,269 industrial accidents occurred in the first six months of 2003, representing a drop of 26.1 per cent compared to 11,183 such accidents during the same period last year.

Construction site accidents make up a major portion of all work-related accidents.

On a positive note, the overall number of accidents in the construction industry also decreased, by 33.6 per cent from 3,223 to 2,141.

"However, the number of fatal industrial accidents this year shows an upward trend. Most of these cases occurred at construction sites," Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said yesterday.

"We take a serious view of these accidents," he said. "The Labour Department has stepped up law enforcement action on construction sites."

In a special operation conducted in July and August, 4,230 construction sites were inspected for safety compliance. As a result, 17 suspension notices and 183 notices requiring contractors to improve safety conditions were issued. Meanwhile, prosecutions were initiated for 235 offenses.

Cheung said that the department would continue to adopt concrete measures to reduce work accidents and enhance safety standards in the construction industry.

Measures include a two-month special campaign launched in mid-October to inspect high-risk work at construction sites to ensure that contractors and workers observe safety laws.

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