In a troubling continuation of construction safety issues in Hong Kong, a construction worker fell from the seventh floor of a multi-storey car park in Kowloon on December 7, 2024. The incident occurred at approximately 11:33 AM, when the worker, believed to have been working on scaffolding, landed on a truck loaded with bamboo poles. Upon discovery, he was found semi-conscious with blood stains on his head, face, arms, and chest, prompting immediate transport to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. [bd6b27ee]
This incident adds to a grim tally of construction-related fatalities and injuries this year, with at least six workers killed in falls, including a 37-year-old who died on November 7 and a 44-year-old who fell on November 5. These accidents have raised significant concerns about the safety protocols in place at construction sites across the city. [bd6b27ee]
Earlier in November, two separate incidents resulted in the deaths of two workers. On November 9, a 41-year-old worker was killed when a crane cage fell due to a machine malfunction at the Pavilia Farm III construction site. He was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to the hospital, leaving behind a family in mainland China. [4bb5adce]
Just days prior, on November 13, a 49-year-old worker fell from scaffolding at Stamford American School, despite wearing a safety belt. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after the fall, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by construction workers in Hong Kong. [781d0268]
In light of these incidents, the Labour Department has been ramping up inspections and investigations into work-at-height safety practices in the construction industry. The department conducted over 1,123 inspections related to this issue in the first half of 2024, amid rising concerns over worker safety. [781d0268]
In response to the recent fatalities, Hip Seng Construction, involved in the Pavilia Farm III site, expressed condolences and pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations. The series of accidents has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent further tragedies in the construction sector. [4bb5adce]