Contractors fined for contravention of Buildings Ordinance
A Registered Specialist Contractor (Foundation Works) (RSC) and its sub-contractor were fined $150,000 and $130,000 respectively at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on January 6 for offences under section 40(2B)(a) and 40(2B)(c) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123) (BO).
The case involved a fatal industrial accident that occurred on July 8, 2011 at a construction site in Tsuen Wan. Two workers, while engaged in the fabrication of a bored-pile reinforcement cage, were fatally trapped when the reinforcement cage suddenly collapsed.
As the RSC and its sub-contractor had carried out foundation works in a manner causing death to persons, the Buildings Department instigated prosecution against them in July, 2012. The defendants were convicted at Eastern Magistrates' Courts and the court imposed fines of $150,000 and $130,000 respectively on January 6.
Pursuant to section 40(2B)(c) of the BO, any person who carries out foundation works in a manner causing injury to persons shall be liable on conviction to a fine of 1 million and imprisonment for three years.
Ends/Thursday, February 23, 2017