26th September 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Development Bureau (DEVB) has announced today that the Government is prioritising construction safety and taking necessary actions in response to a tragic industrial incident involving 2 plumbers that occurred at a private project in West Kowloon on 24th September. The DEVB has suspended the contractor involved from participating in public works contracts as part of the regulatory measures.
According to a spokesman for the DEVB, the contractor in question was listed as an Approved Supplier of Materials and Specialist Contractors for Public Works (the List) by the DEVB. Yesterday, the DEVB issued a notification to the contractor, immediately suspending them from tendering for public works contracts in the Air-conditioning Installation category. The contractor is required to conduct an independent safety audit to evaluate their safety management system. Based on the findings of the audit, the contractor must submit an improvement action plan and implement necessary measures to demonstrate an effective safety management system before the suspension can be lifted. The suspension applies not only to future tender exercises but also to ongoing tender procedures that have not been concluded.
The DEVB is committed to thoroughly investigating the incident and will take appropriate actions based on the investigation’s findings. This may include extending the suspension period from tendering for public works contracts and potentially removing the contractor from the List.
Construction safety remains a top priority for the Government, and the DEVB will continue to closely monitor the situation. The suspension imposed on the contractor is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to ensuring safety standards in the construction industry. The Government acknowledges the importance of robust safety management systems and expects contractors to adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
The DEVB urges all contractors to prioritize safety and maintain high standards throughout their operations. Construction companies must take responsibility for the safety of their workers and ensure that all necessary precautions are in place to minimise the risk of accidents. The Government will not tolerate any lapses in safety protocols and will take decisive actions to safeguard the well-being of workers and the public.