By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-31 06:41:44 | Updated at 2024-10-31 09:24:53
2 hours ago
A Hong Kong engineering firm has been fined HK$44,000 (US$5,700) for failing to implement safety measures at a site leading to a worker’s death two years ago, an incident which ultimately cost its operating licence.
Aggressive Construction Engineering, the main contractor of the HK$897 million The Coast Line residential project in Yau Tong, and two subcontractors were fined a total of HK$130,000 after their respective representatives pleaded guilty to 11 charges at Kwun Tong Court on Thursday.
The fatal accident occurred on December 14, 2022, when a 886kg steel beam used to provide lateral support collapsed while it was being removed 90m above ground, killing 55-year-old Luk Wai-ying, an employee of sub-subcontractor Yi Shing Steel Engineering.
Luk’s colleague, Tsang Wing-tong, tasked with similar duties, escaped death as he was not standing beneath the fallen beam at the time.
Subsequent investigations found that Aggressive Construction Engineering, a subsidiary of Great Harvest Group, failed to provide sufficient training to workers and ensure they adhered to safety protocols.
The court heard workers failed to hook the 3.8m-long steel beam to a sling chain and unknowingly dismantled its supporting frame before the bar was taken down.
