*******************************************************
In response to media enquiries about the serious industrial accident that occurred on the construction site of the reclamation works of an artificial island for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Labour Department (LD) has announced that the suspension notices served on the principal contractor and its subcontractors were revoked today (January 17).
To ensure that the plant on the site and work processes are safe to workers, the contractors have formulated a safety improvement plan in accordance with risk assessment on works on the cellular structures at the site. The plan covers the design, construction, installation, ascending/descending and suspension systems of working platforms and the provision of necessary safety instructions and training for workers, as well as a monitoring system to ensure the implementation of the above measures. The LD is satisfied that the improvement measures can eliminate the risks associated with the work on the cellular structures.
The LD would closely monitor the safety performance of the site and urge the contractors to maintain the above safety measures to protect the safety of workers at the construction site.
The accident occurred on October 25, 2012, when a team of workers were working on a temporary suspended working platform inside a cellular metal structure with a diameter of about 30 metres. The working platform suddenly collapsed, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to 14 workers.
Ends/Thursday, January 17, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:27
NNNN
