Occupational Safety and Health

Statistics Bulletin
Issue No. 20 ( August 2020 )
Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department

This Bulletin provides statistics of work-related accidents and confirmed cases of

occupational disease in Hong Kong with information, analysis and trend on various economic
sectors and selected industries. Employers, employees and occupational safety and health
practitioners, by benchmarking against the overall accident rate and the industry average in
this bulletin, can better manage the occupational safety and health programme of their own
organisations.

The Labour Department attaches great importance to enhancing occupational safety and
health, and is committed to ensuring that risks to the safety of people at work are properly
managed and addressed through legislation and enforcement, publicity and promotion as well
as education and training. Through the concerted efforts of all parties concerned, including
employers, employees, contractors, safety professionals, trade associations, workers’ unions,
related organisations and government departments, Hong Kong's occupational safety
performance has been improving steadily in the past decade.

In 2019, the number of occupational injuries in all workplaces stood at 32 872, a decrease of
8.6 per cent over 2018, while the injury rate per 1 000 employees decreased from 11.8 to
10.8, a decrease of 8.0 per cent. The number of industrial accidents in all industries in 2019
stood at 9 254, a decrease of 12.7 per cent over 2018, while the accident rate per 1 000
workers decreased from 16.5 to 14.8, down by 10.3 per cent.

The high-risk construction industry recorded 2 947 industrial accidents in 2019, 16.8 per cent
down when compared to 3 541 in 2018. Over the same period, the accident rate per 1 000
workers decreased by 8.5 per cent from 31.7 to 29.0. The number of accidents increased by
2.2 per cent and the accident rate dropped by 44.4 per cent in the past decade, the construction
industry still recorded the highest number of fatalities and accident rate among all industry
sectors.

1
Occupational Injuries

Number of Occupational Injuries  In 2019, there were 32 872 occupational

No.of Occupational and Injury Rate per 1 000 Employees Injury Rate per injuries, lower than 35 964 in 2018 by
Injuries 2010 to 2019 1 000 Employees 8.6%, lower than 41 907 in 2010 by
60 000 30 21.6% and the average of the past five
years (35 217) by 6.7%.
50 000
41 907
40 000
40 578 39 907
38 027 37 523
35 852 35 768 35 631 35 964 20
 The injury rate per 1 000 employees in
32 872 2019 was 10.8, lower than 11.8 in 2018
30 000 by 8.0%, 15.5 in 2010 by 30.2% and the
15.5
14.6 14.1
average of the past five years (11.7) by
13.2
20 000 12.8 12.1 11.9 11.8 11.8 10 7.3%.
10.8

10 000

0 0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Occupational Injuries Occupational Injury Rate

Number of Occupational Fatalities  In 2019, there were 249 occupational

No.of Occupational and Fatality Rate per 1 000 Employees Fatality Rate per fatalities, higher than 218 in 2018 by
Fatalities 2010 to 2019 1 000 Employees 14.2%, 183 in 2010 by 36.1% and the
260 249
0.10 average of the past five years (215) by
15.9%.
240
227 0.09

220
218  The occupational fatality rate in 2019
210
203 0.08 was 0.082 per 1 000 employees, higher
0.082
200 191
196 than 0.071 in 2018 by 15.0%, 0.068 in
188
183 0.075
0.07 2010 by 21.1% and the average of the
177
180
0.069 0.069
0.071 0.071 past five years (0.071) by 15.3%.
0.068 0.068
0.065
0.06
160 * The occupational fatality rates per
0.060
1000 employees are rounded to three
140 0.05
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 decimal places, whereas percentage
No. of Occupational Fatalities Occupational Fatality Rate
change is calculated from unrounded
figure.

Occupational Injuries in All Workplaces

 Of the 32 872 occupational injuries in
- Distribution by Major Economic Activities 2019, over 80% occurred in the following
2019 major economic sectors:
Import/Export,
Public Wholesale and
Administration, Retail Trades, 28.2% Import/Export, Wholesale and
Social and Accommodation Retail Trades,
Personal Services and Food Services
22.6% 28.2% Accommodation and Food
Services
22.6% Public Administration, Social
Others and Personal Services
15.6% 20.5% Financing, Insurance, Real
Estate, Professional and
Business Services
13.1% Transportation, Storage,
Financing, Transportation,
Insurance, Real Storage, Postal and Postal and Courier Services,
Estate, Courier Services, Information and
Professional and Information and
Business Services Communications
Communications
20.5% 13.1%

2
Industrial Accidents

Number of Industrial Accidents  In 2019, the number of industrial

No. of Industrial and Accident Rate per 1 000 Workers Accident Rate per accidents was 9 254, lower than 10 602 in
Accidents 2010 to 2019 1 000 Workers 2018 by 12.7%, 14 015 in 2010 by 34.0%
25 000 50 and the average of the past five years
(10 663) by 13.2%.
20 000 40
 The accident rate per 1 000 workers in
15 000 14 015 13 658 30 2019 was 14.8, lower than 16.5 in 2018 by
12 547
11 820 11 677 11 497
10 883 11 077 10 602
10.3%, 24.9 in 2010 by 40.8% and the
10 000 24.9
23.6
9 254
20 average of the past five years (16.8) by
21.3
19.6 19.0 18.4
11.9%.
17.1 17.2 16.5
5 000 14.8 10

0 0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Industrial Accidents Accident Rate

Number of Industrial Fatalities  In 2019, the number of industrial fatalities

No.of Industrial and Fatality Rate per 1 000 Workers Fatality Rate per was 22, higher than 16 in 2018 by 37.5%
Fatalities 2010 to 2019 1 000 Workers and 18 in 2010 by 22.2% and the
40 0.10 same as the average of the past five
years (22).
29 29 29 0.08
28
30
25
24
 The industrial fatality rate per 1 000
22 0.06 workers in 2019 was 0.035, higher
20 18 18 than 0.025 in 2018 by 41.3%, 0.032 in
16
0.050 0.049 0.04
2010 by 9.7% and the average of the
0.046 0.045
0.041
0.038
past five years (0.034) by 2.4%.
10 0.035
0.032
0.028 0.02
0.025

0 0.00
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Industrial Fatalities Industrial Fatality Rate

 In 2019, there were 2 947 industrial

Number of Industrial Accidents and Accident Rate
accidents in the construction industry,
No.of Industrial per 1 000 Workers in Construction Industry Accident Rate per
Accidents 2010 to 2019 1 000 Workers
lower than 3 541 in 2018 by 16.8%, higher
5 000 100 than 2 884 in 2010 by 2.2% and lower
than the average of the past five years
4 000 3 723 3 720
3 902
80
(3 567) by 17.4%.
3 467 3 541
3 160 3 232

3 112
3 000
2 884 2 947
60
The accident rate per 1 000 workers of the
construction industry in 2019 was 29.0,
52.1 49.7
lower than 31.7 in 2018 by 8.5%, 52.1 in
2 000 40
44.3
40.8 41.9 2010 by 44.4% and the average of the
39.1
34.5 32.9 31.7 past five years (33.4) by 13.4%.
1 000 29.0 20

0 0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Industrial Accidents Accident Rate

3
 Number of Industrial Fatalities and Fatality Rate  In 2019, the number of industrial fatalities
No.of Industrial per 1 000 Workers in Construction Industry Fatality Rate per in the construction industry was 16, higher
Fatalities 2010 to 2019 1 000 Workers than 14 in 2018 by 14.3% and 9 in 2010
40 1.0 by 77.8% and the same as the
average of the past five years (16).
0.8
30
24
 The industrial fatality rate per 1 000
23
22 22 0.6 workers of the construction industry in
20
20
19 2019 was 0.157, higher than 0.125 in
16
14 0.4 2018 by 25.6%, lower than 0.163 in 2010
10 by 3.3% and higher than the average of
9 0.367
10 0.337
0.277 0.2
the past five years (0.152) by 3.4%.
0.242
0.200 0.185
0.163 0.157
0.093 0.125
0 0.0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Industrial Fatalities Industrial Fatality Rate

Number of Industrial Accidents and Accident Rate  In 2019, there were 4 425 industrial
per 1 000 Workers in Food and Beverage Services accidents in the food and beverage
No.of Industrial 2010 to 2019 Accident Rate per
Accidents 1 000 Workers
services, lower than 5 047 in 2018 by
10 000 50 12.3%, 7 541 in 2010 by 41.3% and the
average of the past five years (4 965) by
40 10.9%.
8 000 7 541
7 158
34.7
6 216 30  The accident rate per 1 000 workers of the
6 000
30.9 5 740 5 566 5 386
food and beverage services in 2019 was
4 975 4 990
26.4
24.2
5 047
4 425 20 18.1, lower than 20.2 in 2018 by 10.3%,
22.9 22.1
20.5 20.5 20.2 34.7 in 2010 by 47.8% and the average of
4 000 18.1
10
the past five years (20.3) by 10.7%.

2 000 0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Industrial Accidents Accident Rate

Number of Industrial Accidents and Accident Rate  In 2019, there were 1 198 industrial
No.of Industrial per 1 000 Workers in Manufacturing Industry Accident Rate per accidents in the manufacturing industry,
Accidents 2010 to 2019 1 000 Workers lower than 1 322 in 2018 by 9.4%, 2 009
3 000 30 in 2010 by 40.4% and the average of the
past five years (1 430) by 16.2%.

2 000
2 009 2 001 1 944
1 775 1 787 20
 The accident rate per 1 000 workers of the
1 675
1 497 manufacturing industry in 2019 was 13.8,
1 460
16.8
17.8 18.2
17.1 17.4 16.8
1 322
1 198 lower than 14.7 in 2018 by 6.1%, 16.8 in
15.6 15.7
14.7 2010 by 18.1% and the average of the
13.8
1 000 10 past five years (15.3) by 10.0%.

0 0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
No. of Industrial Accidents Accident Rate

4
Occupational Diseases
Number of Confirmed Occupational Diseases in 2010-2019
 In 2019, there were 442 cases of confirmed
Number of Confirmed Occupational Diseases in occupational diseases (including monaural
2010-2019 hearing loss*), compared with 400 in 2018.
500
442 * The coverage of the Occupational Deafness
422
400 (Compensation) Ordinance has been
400 334
330 304 extended to employees with noise-induced
300 267 256 monaural hearing loss in April 2010. The
229 231
200
number of confirmed occupational diseases in
2011 to 2019 has included monaural hearing
100 loss.
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Number of Confirmed Occupational Diseases in 2019

Occupational Disease Number  The most common occupational diseases
confirmed in 2019 were occupational
Occupational Deafness (including monaural hearing loss) 308 deafness (including monaural hearing loss),
Silicosis 52 silicosis and tenosynovitis of the hand or
Tenosynovitis of the Hand or Forearm 35 forearm.
Gas Poisoning 17
Mesothelioma 10
Asbestosis 7
Tuberculosis 5
Occupational Dermatitis 5
Compressed Air Illness 1
Beat Knee 1
Legionnaires’ Disease 1
Total 442

Occupational Deafness
 There were 308 cases of occupational
Number of Occupational Deafness in 2010-2019 deafness (including monaural hearing loss*)
350 in 2019. Cases were engaged in the
308 following work#:
300 275
52.3% Rock grinding, chiselling, cutting or
250 226
percussion
200 184 177 20.5% Working near internal combustion
149 engines, turbines, pressurised fuel
150 133
burners or jet engines
98 102
100 11.0% Metal grinding
70
8.4% Pile driving
50 4.6% High speed web-fed offset printing
1.6% Using routing, planing, circular
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 sawing machine or automatic
lathes
1.0% Weaving or spinning
* The coverage of the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance has 0.3% Metal percussion
been extended to employees with noise-induced monaural hearing loss in
April 2010. The number of occupational deafness in 2011 to 2019 has 0.3% Abrasive blasting operations
included monaural hearing loss.
#
Please refer to the Occupational Deafness Compensation Board for detailed
statistical information on occupational deafness.

5
Pneumoconiosis
s  In 2019, there were 52 confirmed cases of
Number of Pneumoconiosis in 2010-2019 silicosis*.
160
140  Those silicosis cases had history of
120
exposure to the silica dust in their
occupations many years ago. Its latent
100
period could be as long as 10 to 20 years.
80 1 9 2
0 2 2 7
2
60 3 4  There were 7 confirmed cases of
40
61 63 68 asbestosis in 2019*.
56 54 59
44 51 52
20 43

0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Silicosis Asbestosis

* Please refer to the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board for detailed

statistical information on silicosis and asbestosis.

Tenosynovitis of the Hand or Forearm

 In 2019, there were 35 confirmed cases of
Number of Tenosynovitis of the Hand or Forearm in tenosynovitis of the hand or forearm. The
2010-2019 disease was common among clerical
support workers, personal service workers
100
and elementary occupations, etc.
90
80
 Distribution by industry of the 35 cases in
70 69 2019:
70 64 63
60
25.7% Public administration, and
48 social and personal services
50 20.0% Accommodation and food
38 39 39
40 35 services
31
30 17.1% Import/Export, wholesale and
retail trades
20
14.3% Manufacturing
10 11.4% Professional and business
0 services
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 5.7% Transportation, storage, postal
and courier services
2.9% Information and
communications
2.9% Construction
Gas Poisoning
 There were 4 incidents of gas poisoning in
Number of Gas Poisoning Cases in 2010-2019 2019 and 17 workers were injured. The
noxious chemical agents were
chlorobenzene, chlorine gas and carbon
45
monoxide.
40
35
30
25 17 17
14 14
20 11
15 6 7
8 5 6 4
10 5 4 5 4
4 1 3
5 3 1
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

No. of incidents No. of victims

6
Tuberculosis in Health Care Workers
 Regarding the 5 cases of tuberculosis
Number of Tuberculosis in Health Care Workers in confirmed in 2019, the workers were
2010-2019 doctor, nurses and other personal care
40
workers.
35
30
25
20 17
15
15 11
9 9
10 7 7 6
4 5
5
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Occupational Dermatitis
 The causative agents for the 5 cases of
Number of Occupational Dermatitis in 2010-2019 occupational dermatitis in 2019 were
related to work process in kitchen,
12 construction site and food company.
11
10

8 7

6 5 5

4 3 3 3 3
2
2 1

0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Other Occupational Diseases

 In 2019, there were 10 confirmed cases
Number of Other Occupational Diseases
in 2010-2019 of mesothelioma*.
20  In 2019, there was 1 confirmed case of
18 compressed air illness and the worker
16 was a healthcare professional.
14  In 2019, there was 1 confirmed case of
12 beat knee and the worker was engaged
10 in photography work.
8  In 2019, there was 1 confirmed case of
6
Legionnaires’ Disease and the worker
4
was engaged in work related to cooling
2
towers.
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Carpal tunnel syndrome Radiation illness

Cadmium poisoning Occupational asthma
Streptococcus suis infection Compressed air illness
Mesothelioma Leptospirosis
Avian chlamydiosis Brucellosis
Poisoning by halogen derivatives of hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series Phosphorus poisoning
Mercury Poisoning Beat Knee
Legionnaires' Disease

* Please refer to the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board for detailed

statistical information on mesothelioma.

7
Definitions and further information

Occupational injuries refer to injury cases in workplaces reported under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance,
resulting in death or incapacity for work of over three days.

Industrial accidents refer to injuries and deaths arising from industrial activities in industrial undertakings as
defined under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance.

Occupational diseases are the confirmed occupational diseases reported under the Employees’ Compensation
Ordinance, the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance and the Pneumoconiosis and Mesothelioma
(Compensation) Ordinance.

Injury rate per 1 000 employees is calculated by:

Number of occupational injuries x 1 000

*Employment size

Accident rate per 1 000 workers is calculated by:

Number of industrial accidents x 1 000

*Employment size

*Figures of employment size are based on the Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies Statistics published
by the Census and Statistics Department.

The statistics are compiled based on Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0.

The components that form the statistics may vary from country to country in respect of the legal
requirements in the reporting of accidents and occupational diseases, the economic sectors covered and
the definition of workforce. Accident and occupational disease statistics of different countries may not
be directly comparable and should therefore be interpreted with care.

For enquiry or further information relating to the accident statistics of this Bulletin,
please contact the Accident Analysis and Information Division at Tel 2815 0678 or Fax 2541 8537.

For enquiry or further information relating to the occupational disease statistics of this Bulletin,
please contact the Occupational Medicine Division (Health Promotion) at
Tel 2852 4041 or Fax 2581 2049.

If you have any complaint about unsafe operations and environments at workplaces,
please call the Labour Department's occupational safety and health complaint hotline at Tel 2542 2172
or fill out and submit an online occupational safety and health complaint form on our website.
All complaints will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Online OSH Complaint Form

Email : enquiry@labour.gov.hk