Manslaughter charge over workplace death sends a strong message

To say Hong Kong’s occupational safety record is still a work in progress is not an overstatement. Despite repeated promises to improve supervision and enforcement to instil a stronger work safety culture, deadly incidents continue to occur. While each case is followed by a firm pledge by the authorities that procedures will be reviewed and lessons learned, work-related injuries and deaths remain disturbingly frequent.

Earlier this month, a worker succumbed to his abdominal injuries after being struck by an excavator at a recycling site in Tuen Mun. The 65-year-old was reportedly working behind the machine at the time. Police later said the excavator operator was not certified to operate the machine. They arrested him in connection with manslaughter, along with the supervisor believed to have knowingly allowed the worker to operate the machine without proper qualifications.

The liability of the pair will be a matter for the court to decide. Reclassifying the fatal accident as manslaughter and the ensuing arrests send a strong message that human errors and abuses will not be tolerated. When a workplace death appears to have resulted from suspected negligence, poor management and disregard for legal requirements, the law must respond with force.

The need for stronger enforcement is evident. This includes more serious and frequent inspections, tougher scrutiny of high-risk sites and stricter rules on certification and supervision. When things go wrong, appropriate punishment must follow. Equally essential is the safety awareness of frontline workers and management.

There is no room for mistakes or negligence when it comes to the protection of human life. Until stakeholders at different levels step up and take their responsibility seriously, work safety will remain a goal rather than a reality.