XN000022-1987-01-20 — Page 14

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1987

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WORK-AT-HEIGHT SAFETY EXERCISE UNDER WAY

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THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT A SPECIAL EXERCISE TO PROMOTE WORK-AT-HEIGHT SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

THE EXERCISE IS AIMED AT ENSURING THE PROVISION OF SAFE WORKING PLACES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OF THE 60 FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN 1986, 30 WERE DUE TO FALLS FROM HEIGHT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.

DURING THE EXERCISE, FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD VISIT SITES IN WHICH BUILDING WORK IS IN PROGRESS, TO URGE SITE MANAGEMENT STAFF TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING PLACE FOR WORKERS.

+THEY WILL BE ASKED BY INSPECTORS TO FENCE OFF ALL FLOOR EDGES, LIFT SHAFTS, STAIR EDGES, AND OTHER PLACES WHERE WORKERS ARE LIABLE TO FALL OVER TWO METERS AND TO PROVIDE SAFE WORKING PLATFORMS AND GANGWAYS, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO APPEALED TO CONTRACTORS TO OBSERVE SUCH REQUIREMENTS WHICH ARE PART OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ANY CONTRACTOR WHO CONTRAVENES ANY OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50 000 ON CONVICTION.

SO FAR, 253 CONSTRUCTION SITES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST CONTRACTORS OF A NUMBER OF SITES ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR CONTRAVENING THE RESPECTIVE REGULATIONS.

CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WHO AT ANY TIME HAVE QUERIES REGARDING THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION SITES SHOULD CONTACT THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THEIR DISTRICT FOR ADVICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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