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Site safety urged after inclement weather
The Labour Department today (Tuesday) urged contractors and construction site management staff to take all necessary safety measures to ensure that work sites are safe for workers.
"Following the inclement weather in the past few days, it would be of paramount importance to check site conditions thoroughly and carry out any necessary repairs or rectifications to render the site safe before resuming normal operation," acting Chief Factory Inspector, Mr Tse Ming-sing, said.
Common hazards found on sites after inclement weather include:
(a)
flooding in excavations or caissons;
(b)
damaged bamboo scaffolds or damaged working platforms on these scaffolds;
(c)
caving in of the sides of excavations and damage to the shoring;
(d)
loosened anchorage of lifting appliances;
(e)
leakage of electric current from electrical installations; and
(1 missing safety fencing.
Mr Tse said the general duties provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance required employers to provide a safe plant and a safe system of work for employees. Employees should co-operate by using safety equipment provided by their employers.
He also reminded contractors and workers who had any site safety problems that they were welcomed to contact the factory inspectors through the 24-hour industrial safety hotline 2815 0678.
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