CCST9087 Science, Technology and Big Data

Zero Accident – Everyone’s Effort

This course is under the thematic cluster(s) of:

  • Sustaining Cities, Cultures, and the Earth (SCCE)

Course Description

It is a comprehensive course designed to address the fundamental questions and issues in occupational safety and health (OSH). It gives students a deep understanding of the impact of work-related accidents. Scientific, technological, administrative, social, and legal aspects of OSH will be covered.

By exploring real-life case studies and sharing from the perspectives of employees, employers, NGO, government/ statutory bodies, students will identify potential hazards and risks they may encounter in their future employment and daily life. They will also gain insight into the strategies and measures implemented to ensure the safety and health of the workforce, and how they can promote OSH as a responsible stakeholder in the society. The course emphasizes collaboration and collective responsibility in the vision of “Zero Accident”. The course utilizes various engaging teaching methods, such as lectures, tutorials, and field trips. Students will have the opportunity to participate in discussions, analyse real-world scenarios, and work on projects. 

By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills to create and contribute to a safety culture in workplaces and in the society. Overall, the course equips students with the necessary mindset and tools to achieve the shared goal of “Zero Accident.”

[Visits to various sites be organised during Reading Week or weekends in April 2025 and students are expected to visit one of the sites.]

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify workplace hazards: Students will be able to recognize and identify potential hazards present in different workplace environments.
  2. Understand stakeholder involvement in ensuring workforce safety: Students will gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including employers, employees, families of victims, and legislative bodies, in promoting and maintaining workplace safety.
  3. Gain insights from different perspectives: Students will be exposed to different perspectives from the ecosystem of employment, allowing them to understand the challenges, concerns, and priorities of different players involved in occupational safety and health.
  4. Develop knowledge and understanding of international occupational safety and health initiatives, including standards, guidelines, and best practices from global organizations, enabling them to compare and analyze different approaches to workplace safety.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

Second semester (Wed)


Study Load

Activities Number of hours
Lectures 24
Tutorials 8
Fieldwork / Visits 8
Reading / Self-study 16
Assessment: Essay / Report writing 20
Assessment: Group poster production and presentation 30
Assessment: Essay writing 15
Total: 121

Assessment: 100% coursework

Assessment Tasks Weighting
Poster 30
Tutorial discussion and debate 20
Field trip report 30
Individual essay 20

Required Reading

  • Dyreborg, J., Lipscomb, H. J., Nielsen, K., Törner, M., Rasmussen, K., Frydendall, K. B., BAY, H., Gensby, U., Bengtsen, E., Guldenmund, F., & Kines, P. (2022). Safety interventions for the prevention of accidents at work: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18, e1234.
  • Grimani, A., et al. (2018). Economic Evaluation of Occupational Safety and Health Interventions From the Employer Perspective: A Systematic Review. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 60(2), 147–166. Web.
  • Hovden, J., Albrechtsen, E., & Herrera, I. A. (2010). Is there a need for new theories, models and approaches to occupational accident prevention? Safety Science, 48, 950-956.
  • International Social Security Association. (2023). Vision Zero: Strategy and its implementation all over the world. From https://visionzero.global/sites/default/files/2023-10/Vision%20Zero_Strategy%20and%20its%20implentation%20all%20over%20the%20world.pdf
  • Kim, D. K., & Park, S. (2021). An analysis of the effects of occupational accidents on corporate management performance. Safety Science, 138, 105228.
  • Labour Department, HKSAR Government, China. (2002). Hazards during Chemicals in Use and Safety Guidelines. From https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/D/Chemicals.pdf
  • Labour Department, HKSAR Government, China. (2008). An Analysis on Occupational Fatalities Casebook (Vol. 4). From  https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/D/Casebook4.pdf
  • Labour Department, HKSAR Government, China. (2019). Five Steps to Risk Assessment. From https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/D/FiveSteps.pdf
  • Labour Department, HKSAR Government, China. Safety Handbook for Construction Site Workers. From https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/D/ConstrutionSite.pdf
  • Reed, S., Pisaniello, D., & Benke, G. (Eds). (2020). Principles of Occupational Health and Hygiene: An Introduction. Taylor & Francis Group, Oxford. [Chap . 1 “The Hazardous Work Environment”, Chap. 4 “Control Strategies for Occupational Hazards”]
  • Wachter, J. K., & Yorio, P. L. (2014). A system of safety management practices and worker engagement for reducing and preventing accidents: An empirical and theoretical investigation. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 68, 117-130.

Course Co-ordinator and Teacher(s)

Course Co-ordinator Contact
Professor C.Y. Lam
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Tel: 2255 5228
Email: lamclive@hku.hk
Teacher(s) Contact
Professor C.Y. Lam
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Tel: 2255 5228
Email: lamclive@hku.hk
Dr G.W.K. Ko
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Tel:
Email: gingerko@hku.hk