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Hong Kong authorities have suspended a firm from using electric chainsaws for tree-related work while investigating the death of a 63-year-old employee, who was found to have sliced his leg with the device near a monastery. The Labour Department said on Thursday it was “highly concerned” about the incident that had occurred the day before, while police said that an autopsy was under way to determine the exact cause of death. Police said they had received a report at about 5.45pm Wednesday that a 63-year-old man surnamed Lai was found unconscious near the Tsing Shan Monastery Path in Tuen Mun. Lai was declared dead at the scene. The force said its preliminary investigation suggested Lai accidentally cut himself on the leg with a chainsaw. It is understood that Lai’s colleague had last seen him at 9.30am before they left for work separately. It was not immediately clear what time the incident happened. The force said the case had been classified as an industrial accident and that the cause of death would be determined after an autopsy. In a statement issued Thursday, the Labour Department said it was “highly concerned” about the incident and that it was “saddened” by Lai’s death and expressed its “deepest sympathy” for his family. “We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued a suspension notice to the employer concerned, suspending the use of electric chainsaws for tree-related work,” a spokesman said. “The employer cannot resume the work process until the [department] is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken,” he said. The spokesman added that the department would complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the incident and recommend improvement measures. “We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation,” he said. The Labour Department reminded employers to provide suitable protective equipment, such as safety boots and helmets, to employees handling electric chainsaws. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers are required to provide safe working environments, plants, and systems for their employees. Those found to contravene the ordinance are liable for a HK$10 million fine and two years in jail.
