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The Labour Department has urged contractors, employers and employees of construction sites, factories and industrial undertakings to be more vigilant, check their workplaces and take adequate safety precautions before resuming work after the Chinese New Year holidays.
A spokesperson for the department said today (February 7) that both the management and workers should pay more attention to work safety as workplace conditions might have changed and their safety alertness might have diminished after long holidays.
"Advance checking, preparation and implementation of necessary safety measures are particularly important for work processes, machinery and equipment with potential hazards," he said.
"All scaffolding, working platforms, lifting appliances, temporary power supplies, gas welding and flame cutting operations, chemical processes, confined spaces, sewage work and excavations should be inspected by competent persons to ensure that they are in safe condition before resuming operation or putting them into use again.
"Workers should also be fully advised and instructed to follow safety precautions when working at height or engaging in lifting operations, electrical work and other hazardous work situations," the spokesperson said.
To prevent work accidents, the spokesperson urged contractors and employers to step up monitoring of their workplaces to make sure that they are safe for work after holidays.
The general duty provisions of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance require contractors and employers to provide safe working environments, safe plant and safe systems of work for their employees. Failing to comply with this requirement can result in a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.
Meanwhile, employees should co-operate by following the safety instructions and by using safety equipment.
For enquiries on occupational safety and health, please contact the department's occupational safety officers at 2559 2297.
Ends/Friday, February 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:00
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