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Fatal Construction Accident in Yau Ma Tei Sparks Labour Department Investigation and Safety Reminders

HK

Fatal Construction Accident in Yau Ma Tei Sparks Labour Department Investigation and Safety Reminders
HK

HK

Fatal Construction Accident in Yau Ma Tei Sparks Labour Department Investigation and Safety Reminders

2024-12-29 13:10 Last Updated At:13:18

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Yau Ma Tei yesterday

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a construction site in Yau Ma Tei yesterday afternoon (December 28), in which a male worker was struck by a falling glass panel of curtain wall while it was being lifted with the use of a set of lifting equipment. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending all curtain wall installation work of the construction site , including lifting and handling of glass panels. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

To ensure the safety of workers in using lifting gear for lifting operation, the LD reminds employers to ensure that lifting gear is of good construction, sound material and adequate strength, and is free from patent defect. In addition, other than regular testing and thorough examination by a competent examiner, the lifting gear shall be inspected by a competent person before use on each occasion to ensure the lifting gear is in safe working order.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.

In regard to yesterday's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Fatal traffic accident in Mong Kok

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Mong Kok in the small hours today (January 1) in which three men died.

At about 1.44am, a private car driven by a 30-year-old man was travelling along the third lane of West Kowloon Highway towards Western Harbour Crossing with four male passengers, aged 19 to 34, on board, while a taxi driven by a 65-year-old man with a 23-year-old male passenger and a 19-year-old female passenger on board was travelling along the second lane. When approaching the segment outside MTR Olympic Station, the taxi reportedly cut the lane and collided with the private car, the private car then went out of control, rammed into a kerb, and crashed into a moving taxi and three stationary private cars.

Sustaining serious multiple injuries, the private car driver was certified dead at scene. Two private car passengers, aged 33 and 34, were rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 2.39am and 2.47am respectively.

The other two private car passengers, aged 23 and 19, with back injuries; and the two taxi passengers with limb injuries, were sent to Princess Margaret Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Kwong Wah Hospital separately in conscious state.

The taxi driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.

Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon West is under way.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers at 3661 9023.

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