Shui On was among the first construction companies in Hong Kong to incorporate the concepts and elements of SWC in its daily operation when it started implementing it in July 2000. "Since the implementation of this scheme, we have seen remarkable improvement in workers' safety awareness, site safety performance, team spirit among individual trades as well as communication between site management and workers at Shui On's construction sites," said Stephen Lee, executive director of SOBC and SOC. The companies recorded an overall accident rate of 21/1000 in 2002 compared with an industry average of 85/1000.

The SWC, originated in Japan, is a set of management techniques that facilitates the smooth implementation of site safety management by transforming work processes into a structured framework with the aim of enhancing safety performance through innovative ideas.

The "Construction Safety Promotional Campaign 2003" was jointly organised by the Occupational Health and Safety Council (OHSC) and nine government and professional bodies to promote and recognise outstanding site safety performance in the industry. This year, two new awards, namely the "Best Sub-contractor Award" and the "Site Hygiene Award", were introduced to encourage active participation of sub-contractors and recognise outstanding hygienic performance on sites.

SOBC and SOC are wholly owned subsidiaries of SOCAM. In June 1992, SOBC became the first building contractor to achieve ISO 9002 certification in Hong Kong while SOC obtained the same certification in December 1995. Both companies were awarded the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 certification by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) in November 2000, as well as ISO 14001 certification by the HKQAA and the China National Accreditation Committee for Environmental System Certification Bodies (CACEB) in 1999 and 2000 respectively.

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 Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Guangzhou and New York.

Awards won by SOBC and SOC in the "Construction Safety Promotional Campaign 2003"