The frequent occurrence of fatal industrial accidents in Hong Kong this year has aroused public concern about occupational safety and health.
The Occupational Safety and Health Association of the Federation of Trade Unions held a press conference today (30th) to review the situation of occupational and industrial accidents in Hong Kong in 2022.
Lin Shuyi, chairman of the association, said that 22 fatal industrial accidents occurred this year, resulting in the death of 27 workers. From September to December alone, there were 12 fatal industrial accidents, resulting in the death of 15 workers. The working environment of industrial workers is seriously lacking in safety.” The association put forward five suggestions, including asking the Labor Department to strengthen on-site inspections and send professionals to inspect equipment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Association of the Federation of Trade Unions pointed out that there has been a sharp increase in industrial accidents recently, and urged the Labor Department to strengthen on-site inspections and send professionals to inspect equipment.
(Federation of Occupational Safety and Health Association Facebook)
4 consecutive days of fatal industrial accidents
The association checked the data on industrial accidents this year and found that 27 workers were killed, an increase of more than 68.7% compared to the 16 workers killed in industrial accidents in 2018.
In addition, the occupational safety and health environment in Hong Kong continued to deteriorate in the second half of the year. In addition to serious industrial accidents, there were four consecutive days of fatal industrial accidents.
Lin Shuyi said bluntly that the situation of industrial accidents is unacceptable.
Ye Weiming, vice chairman of the association, added that with the improvement of the epidemic situation, local industrial accidents have continued to increase significantly since September this year, and rare accidents have also occurred, including professional equipment accidents such as cranes and boats.
He pointed out that although the Labor Department promised to strengthen inspections and supervision afterwards, similar accidents continued to occur. He believed that this reflected that the occupational safety awareness of labor, capital and government was obviously weaker than before.
▼On December 28, the scale of the new headquarters site of the Immigration Department, Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, collapsed▼
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Guo Weiqiang advocates the system to ensure safety
Ng Wai Leung, director of rights and interests of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Federation of Trade Unions, agrees that the occurrence of many industrial accidents highlights the lack of occupational safety and health publicity, and believes that the government has the responsibility to strengthen publicity on relevant aspects to employers and employees to prevent accidents from happening.
Kwok Wai-keung, a consultant of the Occupational Safety and Health Association of the Federation of Trade Unions and a member of the Legislative Council, suggested that the authorities publicize information on occupational safety and health on a large scale. They can also refer to the British Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and the "three simultaneous" construction system in the Mainland to incorporate safety into the design. The elements of guarantee, clarify the responsibilities of all parties in the process, and prevent accidents from the source.
He also asked the Labor Department to send professionals to inspect professional equipment in the workplace.
The Occupational Safety and Health Association of the Federation of Trade Unions also recommends that the government comprehensively review the existing site safety management system, effectively implement all the 14 provisions of the "Factories and Industrial Operations (Safety Management) Regulations", and pass and implement the "Occupational Safety and Occupational Health Regulations 2022" as soon as possible (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill.
On September 7, a scale suddenly collapsed at Anderson Road near On Tai Estate in Sau Mau Ping, hitting multiple containers.
(File photo/photo by Zheng Zifeng)
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