XN000022-1987-06-02 — Page 19

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1987

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CONTRACTORS URGED TO FENCE OFF EDGES

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THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED BUILDING O CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARDRAILS AT FLOOR EDGES AND STAIRCASES OF BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

THIS FOLLOWS THE CONCLUSION RECENTLY OF A COURT CASE BEFORE THE KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A BUILDING CONTRACTOR WAS FINED $40 000 FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARDRAILS

IN A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

IN PASSING SENTENCE, THE MAGISTRATE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE DEFENDANT HAD NO PREVIOUS CONVICTION RECORD, A DETERRENT FINE HAD TO BE IMPOSED TO BRING THE ATTENTION OF OTHER CONTRACTORS TO THE SAFETY LEGISLATION.

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, FLOOR EDGES, BALCONIES, LIFT SHAFT OPENINGS AND OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES FROM WHICH A PERSON IS LIABLE TO FALL MUST BE SECURELY FENCED OFF.

THE REGULATIONS ALSO SPECIFIED CERTAIN PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, HE ADDED.

ANY EMPLOYER WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE,

ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50 000.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE REGULATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ANY BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION.

ROUTE 5 SHA TIN CONNECTION CONTRACT AWARDED

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THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $209 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHA TIN CONNECTION FOR ROUTE 5.

THE SHA TIN CONNECTION WILL START NEAR THE BOUNDARY OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN, NORTH OF HEUNG FAN LIU, AND JOIN THE EXISTING TAI PO ROAD NEAR SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE.

THE CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR KENNETH KWOK, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR, HARBOUR CONSTRUCTION LTD.

THE WORK,