Hong Kong considering new work safety codes for manholes after pair killed by toxic gas
- Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn says government may add new safety requirements to both existing and new contracts for manhole maintenance
- Two sewer maintenance workers died last week after inhaling toxic gas in manhole
Hong Kong could introduce new safety codes requiring contractors to secure advance consent from authorities if they wanted staff to enter manholes when it was not part of their regular work, the development minister said on Sunday.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho also said drainage workers would have to undergo additional training for working in confined spaces even though their jobs might not need them to enter manholes.
The push on stricter safety requirements followed an accident in Sha Tin last week where two sewer maintenance workers died after inhaling toxic gas in a manhole.
Death of 2 Hong Kong sewer workers sparks calls for action to plug safety gaps
An initial investigation found they did not have to enter the manhole as work procedures only required them to use high-pressure water jets from outside for cleaning.
Linn said the government would consider adding the new safety requirements to both existing and new contracts for manhole maintenance.
“We may state clearly in the contract that workers are not expected to enter manholes for cleaning up. In case there is a need to enter, the Drainage Services Department must be notified and its approval must be obtained in advance,” she said in a televised interview.
“The training required for those working inside manholes and for those working outside is different. In the future, we plan to require even those who are not supposed to work inside manholes to undergo similar training [to those who enter sewers].”
Linn stressed the measure would give field workers a basic understanding of what it would be like to work inside manholes and the safety precautions needed.
“It is not really a tall order. We are talking about requiring workers to take an additional course that lasts about one day,” she said.
The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims welcomed the comments and called for the speedy introduction of the new safety measures.
“Although it remains to be seen how the government is to enforce the new measures, it is moving in the right direction,” chief executive Fay Siu Sin-man said.
“At least, it can enable workers who are to work outside the manhole to acquire some basic knowledge about the safety measures that are needed for entering a manhole, and the risks they could face while inside, like what equipment they would need, how they could help other workers inside if they are also to enter the manhole.”
Linn also said the government was considering amending the Buildings Ordinance to streamline prosecution procedures against landlords who failed to heed orders to inspect their property or clear illegal structures.
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She said fixed penalties could be introduced, unlike the present practice of having to navigate the legal procedures of collecting evidence, preparing documents and sending the case to be heard in court, which she noted could take as long as a year.
“Usually we will target those blocks which are 50 years old or more. We inspect them and if needed, we will serve you a notice to inspect your building,” Linn said.
“We may consider, say, if it is feasible to require owners to fulfil their responsibilities [of inspecting their blocks] once the blocks reach the age of 30.
“If you do not do anything, you could be subject to a fixed fine. And if you still fail to act after being fined, it will be followed by prosecution.”
A deadly fire this month in a mixed-use 60-year-old building in Yau Ma Tei triggered public concern. The blaze in New Lucky House claimed five lives and injured 43 others.
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Presently, under the government’s Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, owners of properties aged 30 years or above and served with statutory notices must appoint a registered inspector to carry out the prescribed checks.
If work is needed, the owners have to appoint a registered contractor to carry out prescribed repairs under the supervision of the inspector.
Linn said she expected the government to come up with some initial ideas by the fourth quarter this year.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced in his policy address last year that the government planned to revise the ordinance to increase its deterrent effect.
