Man dies in fall from scaffolding in 19th fatal construction accident this year

A construction worker perished on Friday after falling from scaffolding, marking the 19th fatal accident involving the city's construction industry and the second incident this year involving truss-out platforms, according to police and a concerned advocacy group. The incident occurred at around 8 am on Yu Chau Street in Sham Shui Po, where the worker was erecting scaffolding.

Police reported the case at 11:39 am and classified it as an industrial accident, with the exact cause yet to be determined by an autopsy. The Labour Department has dispatched personnel to the scene and is investigating the incident.

The victim, a 50-year-old sub-subcontractor named Fay Siu Sin-man, had been working as a scaffolder for many years. He arrived at the construction site at 8 am and was installing his second set of scaffolding when the fall is believed to have happened due to a suspected loose support bracket. Siu Sin-man left behind two adult children - a student son and an unemployed daughter.

Fay expressed deep grief over the accident and noted that it highlights the severity and frequency of workplace accidents in the construction industry. This is the second fatal incident involving truss-out scaffolds this year, with the first occurring in February when a 57-year-old worker died while setting up scaffolding on an exterior wall of a Maxim's Group food factory in Tai Po.

Fay emphasized the need for workers to prioritize safety and for employers to provide suitable equipment, such as safety belts, as well as monitor employees working at height to ensure they use the gear properly. She also hoped the employer, main contractor, and subcontractor involved in the latest accident could provide proper support for the victim's family and urged authorities to review how to prevent such incidents in the future.