Surprise scrutiny: Director of Drainage Services Wong Chee-keung (left) inspects safety measures at a sewer lining works site in Central.

Drainage Services officers are conducting surprise checks to ensure safety guidelines are being followed. The move comes in the wake of the recent fatal accident in a Sha Tin manhole.

Director of Drainage Services Wong Chee-keung himself held a surprise check on a sewer lining works site in Central yesterday.

The inspection required entry into a manhole and Mr Wong found that the contractor had complied with safety requirements. He focused particularly on the safety precautions the contractor and frontline workers took before they entered the confined space.

Commending the workers for their hard work, Mr Wong also reminded them of the need to ensure that all safety precautions are taken before working in or entering a manhole. He added that surprise checks will continue.