Waist-type belt unsafe
I REFER to the letter by George Greene headlined, 'Men did not cheat death', which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on January 30.
The Society of Registered Safety Officers wishes to point out that the waist-type safety belt used by a worker who is working on a gondola at great heights, is not safe.
Any free-fall accident will damage his spine at its weakest point - the waist, causing serious injury. It could result in a fatality. He should wear either chest harness or full-body harness types of belts.
The appropriate regulatory body should examine the case Mr Greene was referring to, very carefully.
Workers are not given enough training as regards different types of safety belts.
Part of this training should include a practical free-fall or jump off a purpose-built platform, so that workers can have practical hands-on experience of the belts they will wear.
Training institutes related to the construction industry should propose that such purpose-built training facilities be set up.
Such facilities are long overdue.
LEE HUNG-KWONG for Society of Registered Safety Officers
