Labour Department takes follow-up actions on accident involving collapse of tower crane
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The LD's spokesman said today (September 8), "The LD issued suspension notices to the contractor concerned suspending the operation of all tower cranes on the site after the accident. The LD will also inspect all the construction sites under the same contractor in Hong Kong, and will issue suspension notices within today, suspending the operation of all tower cranes on the sites until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risk have been taken."
The spokesman added, "The LD launched a special enforcement operation yesterday, targeting construction sites using tower cranes, checking their compliance with the statutory requirements and the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes, in particular on the standing and supporting conditions of the tower cranes. If non-compliance is detected, the LD will issue a suspension notice immediately to stop its operation and will take vigorous enforcement action without a prior warning."
Under the general duties provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, contractors and employers are required to provide safe systems of work, safe plants and safe working environments for their employees. Those who contravene the above provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.
In order to strengthen the awareness of the industry towards the safe use of tower cranes, the LD will soon issue advisory letters to contractors, trade associations, unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners, etc, urging them to comply with the requirements as stipulated in the occupational safety and health legislation and the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes as well as taking suitable safety measures, in particular on the standing and supporting conditions of the tower cranes, so as to protect workers' occupational safety and health.
The LD will complete the investigation of the accident as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident and ascertain the liability of the duty holders. It will take action pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the legislation.
The LD reminds contractors and employers to provide plants and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should also 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.
Ends/Thursday, September 8, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:41
Issued at HKT 19:41
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