A construction worker was hit on the head by a steel bar on a construction site and died, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the victim was a 32-year-old male non-resident worker (NRW) from the mainland. The statement did not say whether or not the victim wore a helmet.
The PJ statement said that the Judiciary Police received a report at 5:12 p.m. yesterday from the emergency department of the public Conde de São Januário Hospital that a construction worker had been struck on the head by a steel bar at around 4 p.m. while operating a crane to lift steel bars on a construction site in Zone A, where one of the government’s public housing projects is currently being carried out.
The worker’s colleagues informed the safety supervision officer at the construction site of the accident, and the Fire Service Bureau (CB) immediately sent officers to rush the worker to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital for treatment, the statement said. However, the man died after emergency treatment failed.
According to the statement, there were visible wounds on the right side of his head, whereas no suspected criminal injuries on his body were found.
The incident was reported to the Labour Affairs Office (DSAL), and a DSAL statement said that it dispatched some of its officials to the scene to follow up on the situation, according to a separate statement.
The DSAL statement expressed the bureau’s concern and sorrow, and extended its deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of the deceased in a statement yesterday, adding that it will assist the family to obtain compensation.
The DSAL statement reminded contractors to provide appropriate supervision and guidance to workers and take measures to ensure a safe working environment and proper operation of facilities, and that workers should always be vigilant and considerate of themselves and others.
A statement by the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) also expressed its concern and deep sorrow over the incident and extended its condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased.
According to the DSOP statement, the contractor of the construction site has been ordered to stop all construction work on the site and urged the contractor to ensure the workers’ safety. It also requested the contractors of other public works projects to conduct a comprehensive review of construction site safety.
The case has been tentatively listed as a dead body found and the cause of death is subject to an official forensic examination, the PJ statement said.
The case has been referred to the Judiciary Police for follow-up action.
This handout photo provided by the Labour Affairs Office (DSAL) yesterday shows DSAL officials inspecting the fatal accident spot on the construction site in Zone A yesterday.
