SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1992
DEMOLITION CONTRACTORS MUST SAFEGUARD WORKERS
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DEMOLITION CONTRACTORS ARE REMINDED OF THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATION, UNDER THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, TO DEVISE AND ADOPT A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK TO GUARD WORKERS AGAINST POSSIBLE DANGERS.
"A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IF DEMOLITION WORK INVOLVES ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
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"THIS IS BECAUSE THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURES MAY NOT BE AS STRONG THEY APPEARED TO BE AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN PUT UP FOR A LONG TIME, MR CHAN EXPLAINED.
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"THERE MAY ALSO BE DANGERS RESULTING FROM LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR," HE ADDED.
"THEREFORE, THE STRUCTURES SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY ASSESSED FOR ANY HIDDEN DANGERS BY A COMPETENT PERSON, PREFERABLY A QUALIFIED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER OR SURVEYOR, AND A SAFETY WORK PLAN BE DEVISED TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR ADVICE, BEFORE DEMOLITION WORK BEGINS, MR CHAN SAID.
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"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO CORDON OFF THE AREA UNDERNEATH A CANOPY OR A HANGING STRUCTURE UNDER DEMOLITION TO PREVENT INJURIES ON WORKERS OR THE PUBLIC BY FALLING PARTS,' HE SAID.
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"EMPLOYERS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF EMPLOYERS то PROVIDE SUITABLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS SAFETY HELMETS, DUST MASKS AND EAR PROTECTORS, FOR WORKERS.
"IF WORKERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK AT A HEIGHT, THEY MUST BE PROVIDED WITH SAFETY BELTS WITH HARNESS ATTACHED TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFELINE, HE SAID.
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WORKERS SHOULD ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH WORK, MR CHAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, THEY SHOULD BE TRAINED AND SUPERVISED TO CARRY OUT ALL THE NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND RESCUE OPERATIONS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, HE STRESSED.
MR CHAN ALSO URGED WORKERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS IN USING SAFETY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED FOR THEM.
ADVICE.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IS ALWAYS READY TO OFFER WORK SAFETY
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE FACTORY
INSPECTORATE.
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