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In the wake of recent incidents in which workers were injured or died while working at heights, the Labour Department (LD) urged contractors/employers, management level personnel and workers to observe the regulations as stipulated in the relevant safety laws when working at heights.
To prevent the occurrence of accidents, they should not underestimate the potential danger at work and should take appropriate safety measures while working at heights.
According to the general duties sections as stated in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, the contractors/employers responsible for work at heights should:
- consider using suitable scaffolds, working platforms, guard rails and toe boards to prevent any worker from falling from a height. Safety belts should only be used when such safety measures are not reasonably practicable.
- provide suitable and secure anchorage and fittings for workers to continuously attach their safety belts. An example of offering continuous anchorage to workers is the provision of an independent lifeline with fall-arresting devices.
- conduct risk assessment and set up a safe working system before working at heights. To ensure workersˇ¦ safety and health, management should also provide the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to them.
Any worker who undertakes to work at a height should take reasonable care of the health and safety of himself and others. He should co-operate with contractors/employers as required to enable them to fulfill their duties laid down in safety laws.
Anyone who wishes to report on unsafe workplaces or work practices should call the Labour Department's complaint hotline on 2542 2172 (all information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Auto-recording is available outside office hours).
Contractors/employers violating the above laws are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for 12 months. Workers breaching the above laws are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.
The LD will issue summonses to those defying the law. It will also issue improvement notices or suspension notices to urge contractors/employers to implement appropriate safety measures according to the laws.
Meanwhile, the LD has also published leaflets and booklets on work safety such as "Guide to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Section 6A and 6B) - Know your General Duties", "A Guide to the Provisions for Safe Places of Work under Part VA of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations" and "Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety". These materials can be obtained free in all the LD's occupational safety offices or downloaded from the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).
In addition, the LD and the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) jointly launched an "SME Sponsorship Scheme for Fall Arresting Equipment for Renovation & Maintenance Work" in October 2005. A subsidy of up to $4,500 is offered to contractors for purchasing transportable temporary anchor devices, full body harness and relevant safety devices to improve work safety at height.
Interested contractors can obtain the application form from the OSHC office or download it from their website (www.oshc.org.hk). Contractors receiving the subsidy should arrange for workers to attend the free safety courses offered by the Council.
For enquiries on occupational safety issues, please call the LD's occupational safety and health telephone service: 2559 2297.
Ends/Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:55
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