Labour Department launches two-week special inspection to ensure bamboo scaffold safety

The Labour Department has launched a two-week special inspection targeting construction sites with large-scale bamboo scaffolds starting Wednesday (Feb 21), after a fatal accident happened at a Kai Tak that claimed two lives yesterday.

Officers will check the structural safety and stability of those bamboo scaffolds to ensure workers' safety. Suspension orders and improvement notices will be issued if any violations of the legislation are found.

The department said it is amending its Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety, which involves the technical requirements for putlogs and prohibiting unauthorized alteration of bamboo scaffolds, in order to enhance the stability of the scaffolds. 

"The amendments will also require bamboo scaffolders to possess valid safety training certificates before they are allowed to carry out relevant scaffolding work," a spokesman said.

The Labour Department plans to issue the revised CoP in March at the earliest.

This came after the collapse of a scaffold at a construction site in Kai Tak on Tuesday, causing the death of two workers and injuring three. A thorough investigation has been conducted to identify the cause and ascertain the liability of duty holders.