MONDAY, JUNE 19. 1989
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UNSAFE PRACTICES IN SITES DETECTED
CONTRACTORS OF MORE THAN HALF OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES VISITED BY THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN A RECENT MONTH-LONG EXERCISE WERE FOUND TO HAVE BREACHED VARIOUS SAFETY REGULATIONS.
DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF A
SIX-MONTH OPERATION LAUNCHED IN
APRIL, THE TASK FORCE MADE UP OF 16 FACTORY INSPECTORS VISITED 162 BUILDING SITES WITH POOR SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND ACCIDENT RECORDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY,
"SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS PAID DURING THE VISITS TO FLOOR EDGES, OPENINGS, WORKING PLATFORMS AND OTHER DANGEROUS PLACE WHERE WORKERS WERE LIABLE TO FALL. SAID A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN.
"AS A RESULT, 124
CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY} SITES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES.
SUMMONSES
WERE TAKEN OUT UNDER THE REGULATIONS AGAINST CONTRACTORS OF 87
A BREAKDOWN OF THE SUMMONSES SHOWED THAT 85 WERE RELATED ΤΟ FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROPER FENCES TO FLOOR EDGES. EXCAVATION EDGES, OPENINGS AND LIFT SHAFTS; 21 CONCERNED UNFENCED WORKING PLATFORMS; NINE ON FAILURE TO USE SAFETY BELTS: AND THE REST ON NON-PROVISION POOR MAINTENANCE OF SCAFFOLDS.
OR
APART FROM PROSECUTION ACTION, FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO GAVE WARNINGS AND ADVICE TO SITE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS REGARDING GENERAL SAFETY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN.
AT PRESENT, THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE IS CONCENTRATING ON SAFETY NEAR CAISSONS THAT ARE WITHOUT MEASURES TO PROTECT WORKERS.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY INSPECTIONS THREE STOREYS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
ON ALL BUILDINGS OVER
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"STIFFER MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY GIVEN THE WORSENING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SITUATION
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT CONSTRUCTION
SITES,
"IT IS HOPED THAT STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT WOULD MAKE CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS COMPLY WITH THE LAW BY USING PROPER SAFETY ADOPTING SAFETY MEASURES."
EQUIPMENT AND
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