英文

Editorial : Fatal Crane Collapse: Safety vs. Efficiency

【明報專訊】A tower crane collapsed at a construction site on Anderson Road in Sau Mau Ping, causing multiple deaths and injuries. Accidents like crane collapses are very rare in Hong Kong. The tower crane in the incident was in operation but not lifting any load at the time of the accident. It cannot be ruled out that the cause of the accident may involve negligence in the assembly of the crane, which led to the instability of the crane base. Aside from supporting the families of the deceased and injured, it is even more important for the government to probe into the case and find out who should be held responsible. Because of an ongoing increase in newly launched massive constructions, the Labour Department has hired additional manpower in recent years to strengthen site inspections. However, fatal incidents still occur frequently, as labour associations question whether the industry has been emphasising construction efficiency over safety. This was one of the city's most serious industrial accidents in recent years. The authorities should enforce the amendments to occupational safety laws as soon as possible and impose heavier penalties on employers whose recklessness resulted in the death of workers. At the same time, the authorities should also review whether there are any deficiencies in the Labour Department's regulatory inspections.

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