HK Electric first established its Safety Management System (SMS) in late 1980s. After years of implementation and enhancement, the SMS was certified to ISO 9001 in 1997 by an independent external certification body, the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA). The SMS was subsequently refined and certified to OHSAS 18001 in 2001 by HKQAA. HK Electric is the first local utility acquiring the prestigious OHSAS 18001 certification in Hong Kong.
The OHSAS 18001 regarding health and safety management system was upgraded to a new British standard in July 2007. Despite the stringent requirements of the new standard as compared with the previous specification, HK Electric took the initiative to upgrade its SMS, passed the conversion audit by HKQAA in November 2007 and was granted the new OHSAS 18001:2007 certificate in December 2007.
With an aim to further improve the SMS and workplace safety, our Safety Management Systems were upgraded to the ISO 45001 standard for all major operations in 2019 and are strictly enforced within the Company.
Apart from having high regard for occupational safety and health (OSH), HK Electric is also committed to protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development by conducting our business in an environmentally responsible manner. The company's environmental management system (EMS) was certified by HKQAA to ISO 14001 in 2005. An integrated management system covering both SMS and EMS was certified by HKQAA in the same year. Following the launch of an enhanced version of the International Standard for Environmental Management System, ISO 14001:2015, in 2015, HK Electric upgraded its EMS and was the first local utility awarded a certificate under the new standard by HKQAA. Notwithstanding its achievements, HK Electric keeps seeking continuous improvements in OSH performance, environmental friendliness as well as operational efficiency.
The World Health Organisation launched the International Safe Workplace Programme (ISWP) with the objective of applying the best practices of proven injury prevention programmes to protect the safety and health of employees and any person affected by the activities in the workplace environment. Occupational Safety & Health Council introduced ISWP to Hong Kong in 2010. With the support of senior Management, HK Electric decided to work towards ISWP requirements and apply for certification to ISWP. Steering committees were formed for meeting the requirements of the ISWP and to monitor the progress closely and finally obtained the certificates in early 2012. The certificates were successfully renewed by Occupational Safety & Health Council in 2020.
To effectively implement the ISWP and qualify for the certificates, the pre-requisites are stern support from management of HK Electric, as well as the commitment in providing a safe workplace to stakeholders. HK Electric follows up every suggestion from our employees, investigates root causes of near miss incidents and follows up results from Safety Climate Index Survey, etc. HK Electric also proactively participates in local and international OSH-related activities and above all care for the public and environment.