Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Tai Po today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at an industrial building in Tai Po this afternoon (February 24), in which a male worker fell from height while erecting a bamboo scaffold at the external wall of the building. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the erection, alteration, dismantling and use of bamboo scaffolds on the external wall of the building. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take action pursuant to the law if any violations are found during the investigation."
To prevent workers from falling from height while erecting scaffolding, the LD reminds contractors to take adequate safety measures, including providing every scaffolder with a suitable full body harness that is attached continuously to a suitable and secure anchor point, an independent lifeline or a fall arresting system, and ensuring the proper use of the safety equipment by the workers concerned throughout the work.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to 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.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of the family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should also co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.
Source: AI-found images
Latest COVID-19 vaccination arrangements announced
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (February 24) that starting from March 1, the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will administer booster to eligible persons according to the updated recommendations for high-risk priority groups. Additionally, from the same date, the Government will offer LP.8.1 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (LP.8.1 vaccine) to eligible persons aged 12 or above, replacing the JN.1 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (JN.1 vaccine) currently in use. The CHP urged members of the public who have not completed the initial dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) to get vaccinated promptly. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
High-risk priority groups
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The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP earlier discussed and updated the booster vaccination recommendation for high-risk priority groups in 2026. Starting from March 1, the Government will offer COVID-19 vaccine to relevant high-risk priority groups based on the recommendations, including:
residents of residential care homes for the elderly;
elderly persons aged 65 years or above who are living in the community;
persons aged 50 to 64 years with underlying comorbidities;
persons with immunocompromising conditions aged sixmonths or above; and
pregnant women.
In addition, the JSC encouraged healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for their personal protection. Hence, the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will continue to provide free COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers.
Those who do not belong to the high-risk priority groups recommended for booster vaccination (such as individuals aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses and healthy individuals aged 50 to 64) and would like to receive a booster dose may consult their family doctor about registered COVID-19 vaccines available in the private market, and consider to receive vaccination at their own expense for personal protection.
Choice of COVID-19 vaccine
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In light of the JSC's earlier recommendation to choose either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine, the Government has provided LP.8.1 vaccines to infants and children aged six months to 11 years since December last year. The Government has now procured Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccines for individuals aged 12 and above, and vaccinations for eligible individuals will begin on March 1. The Government will continue to help elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community make online appointments for COVID-19 vaccination. More information can be found in an earlierpress release.
Potential upsurge in COVID-19 activity is expected in coming months
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Although COVID-19 activity currently remains at a low level, there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months. As it has been over seven months since the end of last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity, there may be another periodic upsurge in Hong Kong in the next few months. Members of the public should receive a COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Under the current Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged six months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. Priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.
When members of the public receive the COVID-19 vaccine, if they have not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccine, they can check with vaccination venues for arrangements for influenza vaccination. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection.
Members of the public may visit the CHP'sCOVID-19 Vaccination ProgrammeandSeasonal Influenza Vaccinationwebpage for more details.
Source: AI-found images
