Work harder to make site safety a priority

Nothing is more heartbreaking than a family losing a breadwinner at work. Unfortunately, such deaths have become all too common in Hong Kong, raising questions as to whether enough has been done to improve occupational safety. The government and relevant stakeholders must work harder to prevent such fatalities and injuries from occurring.

Investigations are under way after two sewer workers died in a manhole in Sha Tin late on Monday. The men, aged 26 and 34, and two other workers who also fell ill while working underground, were suspected to have inhaled hydrogen sulphide. According to the government, they were employed by a contractor to clean sewers using high-pressure water jets, and should not have been required to enter the sewers under standard procedures.

The pledge by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to fully investigate the deaths is all too familiar. Registration of three companies involved in the works has been suspended. New guidelines on enclosed work premises should soon be available following the death of two workers from gas poisoning inside a locked underground site at West Kowloon late last year.

It is regrettable that the city’s work safety record continues to be stained by fatal accidents and disproportionate punishment for those held responsible. Not so long ago, a series of work fatalities prompted authorities to act tougher on safety violations. Hearing the same old tune as officials respond to similar accidents does little for confidence in the government’s commitment to improving occupational safety.

Industrial safety is, indeed, the responsibility of not only the government, but also site operators, employers and workers. There needs to be an effective management system, underpinned by close supervision, strict enforcement and appropriate punishment in the event of violations.

The Labour Department has already issued no fewer than five work fatality alerts in the first three months of this year. Sadly, it has taken yet another tragedy to highlight what needs to be done. Officials should work with the relevant sectors more proactively to promote safety awareness and compliance.