The number of catering industy accidents has fallen to under 9,000 last year, down 30% from 1999, Permanent Secretary for Labour & Welfare Paul Tang says, adding the downward trend continued in the first half of this year.

At the 10th Catering Industry Safety Award Scheme award presentation ceremony today, Mr Tang said the 200,000-strong industry's accident rate has been on the high side, topping all trades in recent years in the number of work injuries.

With the joint efforts of the Government, employers, staff and concerned parties, the work safety and health performance has greatly improved. The accident rate per 1,000 workers fell 35%, from 66.9 in 1999, to 43.5 this year.

Noting the financial tsunami has affects different industries in different ways, Mr Tang said improvements in workplace safety and health will help allay problems arising from sick leave due to work accidents, benefiting both employers and staff.

A total of 209 eligible catering establishments have joined the year's award scheme, with 187 qualified management staff nominated for the supervisor award.