Labour Department highly concerned about fatal industrial accident happened today
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The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced immediate investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractor involved to suspend the associated work process. The contractor 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 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. Under the general duties provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, it shall be the duty of every proprietor to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of persons employed by him. Contravention of the above provisions is liable to a fine of $500,000."
In the wake of a spate of recent fatal occupational accidents, the LD has issued an advisory letter to all relevant duty holders, urging them to step up measures to ensure the occupational safety and health of workers, including the conduct of risk assessment for work processes, and devising appropriate systems of work and providing suitable personal protective equipment for employees. For today's accident, the LD will issue Work Safety Alert through its website and emails, giving brief account of the accident concerned to contractors, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance; assist the family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up the case. Subject to the needs and wishes of the family members of the deceased, the LD will also refer them to the Social Welfare Department for assistance.
Ends/Saturday, March 11, 2017
Issued at HKT 21:20
Issued at HKT 21:20
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