Editorial | Hong Kong’s workplace deaths should prompt more robust action on safety

One industrial fatality is one too many. Sadly, three more people died during the course of construction this week, despite repeated pledges by the authorities and the industry to improve safety amid a disturbing spate of serious accidents in recent years. The latest grim news underlines Hong Kong’s shameful safety record built on poor work culture and slack supervision.

The cases have added to a growing list of work-related fatalities that are more than just numbers. Behind them are heartbreaking tales of lives ended, families shattered and economic lifelines threatened.

The Labour Department tends to adopt the same tone in responding to such incidents every time, saying it is “highly concerned” and vowing to take action in the case of any violation of work safety legislation. It also reminds employers and workers of the importance of safety and of the legal liabilities involved. However, the standard response risks becoming empty words when industrial deaths keep occurring.

That the city’s aggressive development continues to come at the expense of human lives is regrettable. While the circumstances of each mishap might differ, they are not simply a case of bad luck. More often than not, there could be a mix of weak safety awareness, lapses in judgment, slack supervision and insufficient enforcement and deterrence under the law.

The authorities have taken steps to enhance awareness and compliance, but the recurrence of fatal accidents calls for more vigorous action at different levels. At stake is not just the city’s image and reputation but a sound occupational safety regime and a healthy workforce that helps power social and economic growth.