TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Workers' Injury Association (工傷協會), a labor advocacy group, criticized Taipei 101 on Monday (Jan. 26) for allowing American rock climber Alex Honnold to free solo climb Taipei's landmark a day earlier, calling it an open defiance of occupational safety standards. Honnold successfully scaled Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, in 91 minutes without any protective gear. Netflix live-streamed the event globally, drawing significant international attention to the climb.
The association expressed its concerns on Facebook, highlighting Taiwan's persistent high rate of occupational fall-related deaths as a result of systemic failures. The group referenced a tragic incident on March 31, 2002 when an earthquake caused the deaths of five workers at Taipei 101, prompting the installation of a memorial to emphasize workplace safety. The Facebook post generated hundreds of comments and significant discussion.
The association reiterated its respect for Honnold's expertise but emphasized the distinction between professional ability and public risk management. The group argued that when extreme sports become public events at urban landmarks, they fall within the realm of public governance. The association warned against bypassing public discourse on high-risk activities based solely on individual consent, labeling such logic as dangerous, and clarified that its stance is not anti-sport but a call to confront risk-management double standards.
The Workers' Injury Association acknowledged the success of Honnold's climb, attributing it to high professionalism, repeated testing, and meticulous planning. The group questioned why such standards are rare on construction sites. The association urged the government to clarify its role and regulatory boundaries when events are marketed as city promotions or international publicity. ◼