The worker surnamed Zhang fell to his death from a bridge nearly 13 meters high without taking protective measures. The site director and the employer contractor were both sentenced.

(file photo)

[Reporter Li Lifa / Pingtung Report] An industrial safety accident occurred in the improvement project of the outer ring road of Dan Road on Taiwan Highway 9. A worker surnamed Zhang fell from a bridge nearly 13 meters high and died of serious injuries. An occupational safety investigation found that no safety protection was put in place It caused a tragedy. The construction site director surnamed Wang and the contractor surnamed Yang who hired Mr. Zhang were sentenced to death by negligence. The judge read that the two confessed to their mistakes and reached a settlement with the victim's family, and gave them a chance to probation.

In April 2021, a worker surnamed Zhang accidentally fell from the outside of the bridge at a height of 12.66 meters to the ground under the bridge during the improvement project of the outer ring road of Dan Road on Taiwan Line 9 in April 2021, resulting in intracranial hemorrhage, chest contusion and multiple ribs on both sides of Mr. Zhang. Due to the seriousness of the injury, he was sent to the hospital for first aid and was declared dead.

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After an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry of Labor, it was found that Mr. Zhang did not use safety belts and safety ropes to prevent falls, and did not set up protective equipment such as guardrails or safety nets at the scene, which violated the Occupational Safety and Health Law. After investigation, the prosecutor held that he was responsible. The man surnamed Wang who supervised the safety of the construction site and the contractor surnamed Yang who employed Zhang Nan should be negligently responsible for Zhang Nan's death.

The Pingtung District Court held that Wang and Yang should be held responsible for their negligence because they failed to supervise the victim's use of personal protective equipment and confirm the effectiveness of the safety equipment and measures on the construction site. Wang Nan and Yang Nan were sentenced to 4 months and 6 months in prison respectively, and were fined by Yike. Both were suspended for 2 years and had to pay 150,000 yuan to the public treasury.