Contractors/employers and employees urged to pay attention to workplace safety after Chinese New Year holidays
The Labour Department (LD) urges contractors, employers and employees 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 LD said today (February 23) that both management and employees should pay more attention to work safety as their safety alertness might have diminished and workplace conditions might have changed after the long holidays.
The spokesperson said, "If the work involves processes, machinery or equipment with potential hazards, it is vital to check, prepare and implement necessary safety precautions in advance before the commencement of work.
"All scaffolding, working platforms, lifting appliances, temporary power supplies, gas welding and flame cutting operations, chemical processes, confined spaces, sewage and excavation works should be inspected by competent persons to ensure that they are in safe condition before putting them into use again or resuming operation.
"Management shall fully advise and instruct employees to follow safety precautions when working at height or engaging in lifting operations, tunnelling works, electrical work and other hazardous work," the spokesperson added.
To prevent work accidents, the spokesperson urged contractors and employers to step up monitoring to ensure workplace safety after the holidays.
Pursuant to the general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers shall provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
Meanwhile, employees shall co-operate by following safety instructions and using safety equipment.
For any enquiries on occupational safety and health, please contact the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Branch at 25422172.
The Labour Department (LD), Photo source: reference image
