26.11.2024

Fatal entrapment incident HK

A man died last week, while using a spider lift on a public housing construction site in Tung Chung, Hong Kong.

The man, a 57 year old painter with the family name Ho, was trapped between the platform controls and an overhead beam. He was brought down, and rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead shortly after arrival.

The Hong Kong Labour Department has launched an investigation into the incident. The contractor, Yau Lee Construction, immediately suspended operations at the site and has been directed to provide assistance to the Ho victim’s family.

The Labour Department also issued an immediate press release stating: “The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family. We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the use of the platform. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

"We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation. In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert”

On the same day an 18 year old apprentice fell into an escalator shaft during repairs at the Euro Trade Centre on Hong Kong Island.