Sham Shui Po Scaffolding Collapse Injures Workers; Overload Suspected
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A ceiling scaffold collapsed in Sham Shui Po on Wednesday, injuring workers who were removing construction waste from the elevated platform. The Hong Kong and Kowloon Scaffolding Workers Association says the scaffold was overloaded with building materials beyond its designed capacity. The Labour Department confirmed awareness of the incident and stated it has begun an investigation.
Key Points
- A ceiling scaffold collapsed in Sham Shui Po while workers lifted bags of construction waste from the elevated platform to ground level
- He Bingde, chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Scaffolding Workers Association, says the scaffold was overloaded with stored construction materials
- The collapsed scaffold was classified as a light-load type, designed to bear approximately 150 kg per square meter
- Heavy-load scaffolds are rated for 200-250 kg per square meter and must be certified by a qualified engineer before use
- The Labour Department confirmed it is investigating and will take legal action if safety violations are confirmed
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the ongoing risks of overloading bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong's dense urban construction environment, where lightweight scaffolds are sometimes repurposed beyond their intended capacity. The Labour Department's investigation could lead to enforcement action and renewed calls for stricter safety oversight on construction sites.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks of overloading bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong's dense urban construction environment, where lightweight scaffolds are sometimes repurposed beyond their intended capacity. The Labour Department's investigation could lead to enforcement action and renewed calls for stricter safety oversight on construction sites.