The Labour Department today said it will launch a two-week citywide special enforcement operation tomorrow, targeting the fire protection facilities and fire emergency preparedness of building maintenance work sites with large-scale scaffolding erected.

The department will check if protective screens are in compliance with recognised standards for fire-retardant materials to ensure work safety.

Meanwhile, it will also work with the Buildings Department to inspect buildings undergoing major external wall repairs with large-scale bamboo scaffolds erected so as to ensure that scaffold nets installed on the scaffolds comply with the requirements of relevant Code of Practice/Guidance Notes.

Noting that it is highly concerned about yesterday's No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, the Labour Department said it is saddened the blaze has caused multiple casualties and expressed its deepest sympathies to the victims' families and the injured.

If any violations of the legislation are detected during the inspection exercise, the Labour Department's occupational safety officers will take rigorous enforcement action, including issuing suspension notices and improvement notices, and taking out prosecutions without prior warning, in order to deter unsafe operations.