Hong Kong authorities escalated the investigation into a deadly 2024 industrial accident, reclassifying the case as manslaughter and arresting two individuals following the catastrophic collapse of scaffolding at a Kai Tak construction site. The incident, which occurred on February 20, 2024, at the Pano Harbour site on Shing Fu Lane, resulted in the deaths of two female workers and injuries to three others. After an extensive inquiry spanning over a year, police transitioned the probe from a routine industrial accident to a criminal case.
On Wednesday, officers from the Kowloon East Regional Crime Unit detained a 48-year-old foreman specializing in scaffolding and a 58-year-old scaffolder in the districts of Ngau Tau Kok and Tseung Kwan O, respectively. The men have been jointly charged with two counts of manslaughter and were scheduled to appear at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts. This unprecedented move signals a strong shift toward criminal accountability in severe workplace safety violations in the territory.
The tragic event unfolded just before 5 p.m. when a large section of scaffolding suddenly gave way. Responders arriving at the scene found a 68-year-old woman and a 54-year-old woman unconscious. Both victims were quickly transported to United Christian Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Three additional workers—a man and two women, aged between 45 and 63—sustained injuries and were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
Strengthening Construction Safety Regulations
The seriousness of the collapse prompted immediate action from regulatory bodies. Recognizing the need for improved structural integrity and oversight, the Labour Department announced significant revisions to the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety.
These planned amendments aim to robustly enhance stability requirements across the industry. Key revisions include:
- Updated Technical Standards: Specific requirements for wall ties, crucial components that secure scaffolding to the main structure.
- Prohibition of Unauthorized Changes: A strict ban on any modifications to scaffolding that have not been officially approved.
- Mandatory Training Certification: Requirement that all workers involved in scaffolding must possess valid safety training certificates.
- Clearer Accountability: Defined responsibilities for competent persons supervising scaffolding installation and dismantling.
The Labour Department indicated that the updated code was slated for release in the first half of the current year.
Legal Implications for Workplace Violations
Under Hong Kong’s current occupational safety and health legislation, employers have a general duty to ensure a safe working environment. The manslaughter charges highlight the severe legal ramifications now facing those responsible for egregious safety failures.
For employers found culpable in extremely serious cases, the maximum penalties under the law include fines up to HK$10 million and potentially two years’ imprisonment. Employees who breach safety provisions can face fines up to HK$150,000 and six months behind bars. The reclassification of this tragedy as manslaughter underscores the deepening legal scrutiny of workplace safety negligence, suggesting that severe lapses will be pursued under criminal law, setting a critical precedent for construction safety enforcement across the region.