XN000022-1980-05-21 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980

PLEA FOR SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES

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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND CONTRACTORS WERE URGED TODAY TO ADOPT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS AT HIGH LEVELS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

THE PLEA WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S ACCIDENT ON A TSIM SHA TSUI SITE, IN WHICH A WORKER DIED IN A FALL.

MR YIP EMPHASISED THAT THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF WORKING AT HEIGHTS COULD BE MINIMISED BY ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS, SUCH AS FENCING AND RAILINGS.

+THOSE ENGAGED IN CONSTRUCTION WORK SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, WHICH LAY DOWN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE WORKERS.+

MR YIP SAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE SAFETY OF PLANK BOARDS AS ACCESS BRIDGES OR WORKING PLATFORMS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

+BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THESE BOARDS ARE OF ADEQUATE WIDTH AND STRENGTH AND FREE FROM DEFECTS.+

MR YIP ALSO CALLED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE REGULATIONS REGARDING FENCING MACHINERY, OPENINGS AND DANGEROUS SPOTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THREE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $15 000 AT WESTERN COURT YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS.

THE FIRST COMPANY WAS FINED $4 000 FOR FAILING TO SECURELY FENCE A FLOOR OPENING, THE SECOND $5 000 IN RESPECT OF A LIFT SHAFT AND THE THIRD $6 000 IN CONNECTION WITH ACCESS BRIDGES AND A PLATFORM.

*THE PROVISIONS REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO FENCE SECURELY MACHINERY, WORKING PLATFORMS, OPENINGS IN FLOORS AND EXCAVATIONS, HE SAID.

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