It is DSD’s vision to provide world-class wastewater and stormwater drainage services enabling the sustainable development of Hong Kong. DSD has explored and made reference to applicable international standards over the years to strengthen its management practice and identify room for continual improvement.
Management Approach
Integrated Management System
Following the implementation of management systems in accordance with ISO 9001 Quality Management System in 2002 and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System in 2007, DSD has acquired the accreditation of OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System since 2012 as part of its Integrated Management System. Through adopting the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” approach, we review risks associated with our daily operation and major projects on a regular basis, and eliminate or control them within an acceptable level by applying preventive and mitigation measures.
Moreover, we are studying and evaluating the possibility of implementing ISO 50001 Energy Management System in our sewerage facilities to identify opportunities in saving energy and uplifting efficiency.
Asset Management
To further improve the effective use of resources and management of DSD facilities, the Electrical and Mechanical Branch has commenced the staged implementation of the Asset Management System since 2013. The sewage pumping stations in Ho Pong Street and Hung Hom Bay have been selected as the pilot facilities and DSD successfully obtained the certification to Publicly Available Specification (PAS 55) by British Standards Institution in 2013.
Strategic Planning
To achieve sustainable development of DSD in the long run, we have developed a 5-year Implementation Plan since 2011 which consists of the following initiatives and progress well in 2013-14.
Participation in Local Associations and Committees
In 2013-14, DSD’s senior management has continued to participate in the following associations and committees, and contributed our professional knowledge and insights for the relevant policy development:
- Public Works Sub-Committee, Legislative Council
- International Water Association Regional Committee of Hong Kong, China
- Consulting Engineers’ Committee, DEVB
- Building Contractors Committee, DEVB
- Standing Committee for the Training of Civil Engineering Graduates and Assistant Engineers, DEVB
- Steering Committee on Greening, Landscape and Tree Management, DEVB
- Works Policies Coordination Committee, DEVB
Human Rights
We observe the Government’s policies on staff employment and human rights, and strictly prohibit the use of child or forced labour. We also provide safety training to our staff, and consultants and contractors engaged in our work contracts according to the guidelines promulgated by DEVB.
We encourage interactive communications between the management and the staff by establishing a number of Departmental Consultative Committees and Discussion Groups. Moreover, there are resident Labour Relations Officers appointed to help handle and resolve conflicts and disputes between contractors and workers on site.
Integrity
To comply with the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and relevant guidelines established by the Government, we provide training to staff and request them to adhere to a high ethical standard. If any suspected corruption cases are reported, they will be submitted to the Independent Commission Against Corruption for further investigation. During the reporting period, we have received no report with regard to bribery or corruption.
Addressing Key Issues Identified by Stakeholders
We believe it is important to listen to stakeholders’ views and take account of their expectations on DSD. We have hence engaged six stakeholder groups to collect their views on our sustainability performance as well as the importance and relevance of various sustainability issues related to DSD.[1] The views collected facilitate our identification of the Material Aspects to be presented in the Report.[2] The stakeholder groups and corresponding engagement approaches are summarised below.
| Stakeholder Group[3] | Engagement Approach[4] |
|---|---|
| Public | Questionnaire |
| Staff | Questionnaire |
| Academia | Questionnaire |
| Green Groups | Questionnaire and Focus Group Meeting |
| Consultants | Questionnaire and Focus Group Meeting |
| Contractors | Questionnaire and Focus Group Meeting |
Apart from the above, we have also organised a range of stakeholder activities during the year to maintain close dialogues with them. For more details, please refer to Stakeholder Engagement Activities.
[1] G4-24
[2] G4-27
[3] G4-24
[4] G4-26
