In a tragic series of events highlighting the dangers of construction work in Hong Kong, two workers have recently lost their lives in separate incidents. On November 9, 2024, a 41-year-old worker was killed when a crane cage fell due to a machine malfunction at the Pavilia Farm III construction site. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM, and the worker was pronounced dead at 2:25 PM at Prince of Wales Hospital after losing consciousness from being crushed. He was married with two children aged 6 and 13 in mainland China, adding a heartbreaking personal element to this industrial accident. [4bb5adce]
This incident follows another fatality just days earlier, where a 49-year-old worker fell four to five stories from scaffolding at Stamford American School on October 13, 2024. Despite wearing a safety belt, he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after at Kwong Wah Hospital. The worker left behind a wife and two young children, further emphasizing the tragic impact of workplace accidents. [781d0268]
The Labour Department is currently investigating both incidents, as part of a broader initiative to address work-at-height safety in the construction industry. In the first half of 2024, the department conducted over 1,123 inspections related to this issue, amidst rising concerns over worker safety. Alarmingly, there were 61 deaths from industrial accidents reported in the first quarter of 2024 alone. [781d0268]
In response to the recent fatalities, Hip Seng Construction, the contractor involved in the Pavilia Farm III site, expressed condolences and pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. The series of accidents has raised significant questions about the effectiveness of safety regulations and protocols in Hong Kong's construction sector. [4bb5adce]