(8 April 2003; Hong Kong) Shui On Construction And Materials Limited (SOCAM; stock code: 983) has won various awards in the “Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme 2002/2003” organised by the Labour Department. The Redevelopment of Shek Pai Wan Estate Phase 1 has received a Gold Award under the category of “Building Sites (Public Contract)” while Redevelopment of Pak Tin Estate Phase 3 and 6 has received a Merit Award in the same category. The Redevelopment of Lam Tin Estate Phase 6 and Tung Chung Area 20 and 40 have won a Bronze Award and a Merit Award respectively under the category of “Safety Team”. The scheme aims to increase the awareness of occupational safety and health, enhance the safety culture and encourage good practice in this area.

 
Shui On strives to provide a safe and healthy working environment to its staff by constantly reviewing its work procedures and methods. The company also conducts frequent training and promotions to raise employees’ awareness of occupational health and safety issues. The implementation of Safe Working Cycle since July 2000 has successfully cultivated a strong safety culture on its sites. Through the concerted efforts of its management, site staff, subcontractors and their workers, the overall accident rate in 2002 in SOCAM’s construction sites dropped by 36% to 21 per 1000 workers, compared with an industry average of 86.3 per 1000 workers in the first three quarters of the year.

SOCAM, a member of the Shui On Group, was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1997 and is engaged in construction, construction materials and property development in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Apart from SOCAM, the Shui On Group has a separate, non-listed property arm with investments in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and New York.