Contractors involved in sewer deaths banned from public work bids

The Development Bureau has suspended the contractors involved in the Sha Tin fatal industrial incident - which led to the death of two sewer maintenance workers - from tendering for public works contracts.

The Bureau said the contractors concerned were on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works, and has notified them about the decision to ban them from bidding on roads and drainage public works contracts with immediate effect. 

The Development Bureau has mandated that the contractors conduct an independent safety audit to thoroughly review their safety management system. They are also required to submit an improvement action plan and measures.

The suspension from tendering will only be lifted when the contractors can demonstrate that they have an effective safety management system, the Development Bureau noted.

Subject to the findings of the investigation, the DEVB might later impose further regulating actions on the contractors concerned, including extending the suspension period from public works bids and removing them from the approved contractor list. 

Sources said one of the involved contractors is Drain Aid Limited.