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Heng Tat Construction Co. Limited, E-Man Construction Co. Limited, Xin Yi (Hong Kong) Limited and Tak Fai Transportation Co. were fined a total of $42,000 at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (April 15) for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
The case involved a fatal accident which occurred on April 22 last year at a construction site in Cheung Sha Wan. A lorry-mounted crane was used to lift a piece of concrete debris which suddenly detached and hit a worker. He fell into a trench and sustained a fatal injury.
According to Regulation 11(1) of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations, the owner of a lifting appliance shall ensure that the lifting appliance is not used unless the safe working load for the time being applicable to the appliance is clearly and legibly marked on it, in English and Chinese, together with an appropriate mark to distinguish it from other similar appliances. Any owner who fails to do so is liable to a fine of $50,000.
In addition, under Regulation 16(2)(b) of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations, the owner of a lifting appliance shall ensure that the lifting appliance is not used unless the lever for controlling the operation of the appliance has either on or adjacent to it clear markings to indicate its purpose and the mode of operation. Any owner who fails to do so is liable to a fine of $50,000.
Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:58
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