Club's new OSH initiatives promote staff well-being in the workplace

14 June 2010

Management and staff of The Hong Kong Jockey Club had the chance to get fit today (14 June) through a series of stretching exercises and health checks at the opening ceremony of the Club's first Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Week.

The week-long programme is aimed at raising the awareness of occupational safety and health amongst Club staff.  Also present at today's ceremony were 43 OSH Ambassadors who received appointment certificates from the management.  The Ambassadors, who will form the backbone of the organisation's newly established OSH Club, will foster a culture of occupational safety and health in the workplace.

Deputy Commissioner for Labour Erika Hui, Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and the Board of Management officiated at the opening ceremony of OSH Week.  Club Director of Human Resources and Sustainability Mimi Cunningham said the Club was committed to ensuring the adoption of good safety behaviour.  "Horse racing is one of most exciting sports in the world, but with excitement there is always the danger of accidents, " she said.  "Here, I am proud to say that The Hong Kong Jockey Club has striven to make it a safe place to ride and to work."

Over 450 staff participated in safety games today as well as attending health check stations specially designed for the assessment of osteoporosis and foot or spinal weaknesses.  Other programmes in the coming week will include seminars on back care and correct postures by a professional physiotherapist, and talks by professional social workers and counsellors on to manage anxiety and avoid depression.

In the longer term, the new OSH Club will serve as an ongoing platform through which staff can share feedback and information on OSH matters, as well as receive training on the latest OSH issues.  This initiative will strengthen co-operation between Club management and staff so as to ensure that continuously high standards of occupational safety and health are mantained in the workplace.

The Club has implemented regular measures in every area of its operations to enhance the staff's wellness and safety, for example by setting up departmental OSH committees, establishing a Corporate Wellness Programme and providing OMP (Our Meeting Place) facilities where staff can enjoy healthy eating, learning and fitness programmes.

In addition, it has put in place various OSH measures and initiatives in recent years, including the provision of first-aid training for staff, the organisation of fire drills in each workplace and the setting-up of an OSH website and two information centres for staff, as well as seminars on avoiding stress at home and work.  The Club's new Telebet cum Volunteers and Training Centre established in Tin Shui Wai last year has been equipped with many OSH facilities, namely including ergo-designed workstations certified by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, featuring angle and height adjustable chairs, foot rests, non-reflective computer monitors, non-glare keyboards, curved hoods for acoustics and improved lighting control, in order to provide maximum comfort and a safe working environment for every staff member. The centre has also an advanced ventilation system design to provide 'Good' class indoor air quality as certified by Hong Kong Productivity Council.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.