XN000022-1993-10-23+24 — Page 5

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993

DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON SITES MUST BE COVERED

BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE THAT SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS COVERINGS ARE PROVIDED AT ALL DANGEROUS FLOOR EDGES OR OPENINGS CONSTRUCTION SITES TO PREVENT WORKERS FALLING FROM A HEIGHT.

OR

명품

ON

HEAVY

E MAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED WAS RECENTLY GIVEN A FINE OF $40,000 BY A SHA TIN MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS TO THE FLOOR EDGE.

THE COMPANY WAS ALSO FINED ANOTHER $40,000 FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS OR A FIXED COVERING TO A LIFT SHAFT OPENING.

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"THE OFFENCES WERE DETECTED BY OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AT A SHA TIN CONSTRUCTION SITE EARLIER THIS YEAR, LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY),

HE SAID DURING THE INSPECTION, THE FLOOR EDGE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIFT SHAFT OPENING ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE STAFF QUARTER BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION WERE FOUND NEITHER PROTECTED BY GUARD-RAILS NOR A COVERING.

UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, EVERY OPENING, CORNER, BREAK, EDGE OR OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES FROM WHICH A PERSON MAY FALL MUST BE PROVIDED WITH SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS OR FIXED COVERINGS.

ANY CONTRACTOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS, HE ADDED.

MR

CHAN REMINDED CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS THAT FALL OF PERSONS FROM A HEIGHT WAS A COMMON CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS IN CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH OFTEN RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS.

HE URGED CONTRACTORS AND EMPLOYERS TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION ENSURE WORKERS SAFETY AND HEALTH.

TO

WHICH

THEIR

HE ALSO CALLED ON WORKERS TO REPORT ANY IRREGULARITIES, MIGHT PRESENT A HAZARD TO THEMSELVES WHILST AT WORK, EITHER TO SAFETY OFFICER ON SITE OR TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 815 0678.

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