XN000022-1981-06-26 — Page 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1981

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BUILDERS WARNED OF HEAVIER PENALTIES

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BUILDING CONTRACTORS FAILING TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING PLACE AT HEIGHTS ARE LIABLE TO BE PROSECUTED AND FINED A MAXIMUM OF $50 000, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE SPOKESMAN WAS REFERRING TO A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A BUILDING CONTRACTOR WAS FOUND GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS AND WAS FINED $10 000.

HE SAID THAT THE BUILDING CONTRACTOR DID NOT TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE SAFETY AND AS A RESULT A WORKER PLUNGED TO HIS DEATH WHILE WORKING ON A SINGLE ROW BAMBOO SCAFFOLD OUTSIDE A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE $10 000 FINE, HE SAID, WAS THE MAXIMUM THEN. FOLLOWING AN AMENDMENT OF THE REGULATIONS IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY HAS NOW BEEN INCREASED TO $50 000.

ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN, WHERE WORKERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK ON SCAFFOLDS WHICH MAY BE LIABLE TO BE DANGEROUS, A SAFE AND SECURE WORKING PLATFORM OF AT LEAST 38 CM WIDE AND SECURELY FENCED TO A HEIGHT OF NOT LESS THAN ONE METRE SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON THE SCAFFOLD.

WHERE IT IS NOT REASONABLY PRACTICABLE TO PROVIDE SUITABLE FENCING AROUND THE EDGES OF ANY PLACE WHERE A WORKMAN IS LIABLE TO FALL A DISTANCE OF MORE THAN TWO METRES SAFETY NETS SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR WORKMEN AT HEIGHTS.

WORKERS SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY BELTS THEY WEAR ARE SECURELY ATTACHED TO A SUITABLE ANCHORAGE OR AN INDEPENDENT LIFELINE.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WORKERS MIGHT FEEL THAT THE USE OF SAFETY BELTS CAUSE INCONVENIENCE, BUT IF CORRECT METHODS ARE APPLIED, THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.

HE SAID THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF FALL-ARREST DEVICES OR ROPE GRABS WHICH COULD BE USED ON THE LIFE-LINE, AND SECURED TO WORKER'S SAFETY BELT BY A SNAPHOOK OR LANYARD.

SUCH SYSTEMS WOULD PERMIT UP AND DOWN MOVEMENT OF THE WORKER ALONG THE LIFE-LINE AND WOULD LOCK IN PLACE AUTOMATICALLY WHEN TENSION IS EXERTED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE WORKER FALLS OFF FROM HIS FOOTHOLD.

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