Lift Accident

Posted by ken (69 days ago)

What a tragedy and pathetic payout to those suffering. No mention of why it happened or faulty construction and responsibility. What if that lift was with the CE and his entourage or visitors from aboard. Feeling a bit disgusted with this matter. May peace with those of the lost ones.

September 13, 2009
Labour

Six die in industrial accident


Tragic accident: Chief Executive Donald Tsang (centre)expresses grief over an industrial accident that claimed six cleaning workers' lives at the International Commerce Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Six cleaning workers died today when they fell 20 storeys after a platform gave way in the International Commerce Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The six were working inside a lift shaft when they fell from the 30th floor to the 10th.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang visited the scene and expressed sadness over the accident and conveyed condolences to the workers' families.

Mr Tsang said he had instructed the Secretary for Labour & Welfare to investigate the accident's cause and follow up with the families. The Social Welfare and Labour Departments are helping the families.

Families to get aid
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said it was an extremely serious accident, and expressed shock and sorrow. He visited the families at the hospital and promised to provide aid.

Mr Cheung said the amount of statutory compensation depends on the age of the workers, with the maximum set at $1.76 million. The authorities will also provide emergency assistance.

After discussions with developer Sun Hung Kai, Mr Cheung said each worker's family will get a $1 million ex-gratia payment tomorrow. The company will pay all funeral expenses and assist in the education of the workers' children.

Mr Cheung said the Labour Department will investigate the accident together with other professional departments such as the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He said there have been eight fatal construction industrial accidents so far this year - six at small-scale works and two at large-scale construction sites.

Last year saw 16 fatal accidents and there has been an improvement this year. But the Government will continue to promote occupational safety through publicity, education and enforcement programmes.

Risky rescue
Mr Cheung said, with the permission of the Environmental Protection Department, construction works may proceed even on Sundays.

Kowloon Fire Command Headquarters (South Division) Acting Divisional Officer Lo Kam-wing said the lift shaft was narrow, only two metres by three metres, making the rescue difficult.

A large quantity of debris and construction waste had fallen with the workers from the 30th floor to the 10th.
There was only one exit on the 10th floor, and the situation at the scene was unstable, with a danger of further collapses, making it difficult for many firefighters to work on the rescue at the same time.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/atschool/090913/html/090913en02002.htm

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Posted by funbobby (69 days ago)

well to straighten out an important fact, it wasn't a lift that failed...workers in buildings under const. build temp. platforms inside the EMPTY lift shafts to store const. materials...it was one of these temp. platforms that failed (collapsed) as 6 workers were cleaning it out...of course there needs to be an investigation into who built it, to what specs and was it overloaded (that takes time!)...and the ex gratia payment was given prior to any investigation...this was a goodwill and support gesture by SHK...there will likely be future payouts when the whole thing is settled legally

Posted by JinHK (69 days ago)

You need to read the article again ken. The 6 workers were working on a platform in a lift well, not a lift. They were chipping cement away from the lift wall. The platform gave way and they plunged to their death.

A terrible accident and one that should not have happend BUT the men themselves are partly responsible for not providing for their own safety and wearing safety harnesses. You only have to look around Hong Kong and all the construction sites to see safety rules being flaunted. How often do you see workes on scaffolding with safety harneses? Not very often.

A safety harness in this instance probably woudn't have saved them but it may have. Further news articles say that the platform was not anchored properly and was overloaded. The workers and the company in charge of the work should ensure that they are working in safe conditions.

And, I agree with you their families do not receive anywhere near the compensation that they should get especially with young families to raise. No amount of money compensates for the untimely death of a loved one and provider.

I do hope that the developer Sun Hung Kai will make good on the promise to make sure any children of the deceased workers are assisted with their education needs.

Posted by Huggy (69 days ago)

Such a sad story for the workers and their families. I hope they get the compensation they deserve and a full investigation into this tragedy.
Blessings and light to all concerned.