Worker dies in Tai Po scaffolding collapse

A worker has died and another was injured after a bamboo scaffold they were constructing outside a Tai Po villa suddenly collpased, sending them plunging three metres to the ground.

The Labour Department says it’s investigating the case and ordered an immediate halt to work at the site.

“We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the erection, alteration, dismantling and use of bamboo scaffolds at external walls of the villa,” a spokesman for the department said.

“The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.”

The department reminded employers that they can face penalties of up to six months in prison or a $500,000 fine for flouting worker safety rules.

The condition of the worker who survived the accident is not known.