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The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, said today (May 24) that the Government will continue to work closely with the construction industry to enhance site safety, improve the welfare of workers and promote a caring culture with a view to achieving zero accidents on construction sites.
Officiating at the presentation ceremony of the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme 2011 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today, Mrs Lam said that with the concerted efforts of the Government and the industry, Hong Kong's infrastructural development has entered a golden period over the past few years. The Government's expenditure on capital works in 2012-13 is $62.3 billion, and the annual spending is expected to reach more than $70 billion in the coming few years.
She called on members of the construction sector to take the initiative to sign the Joint Declaration of Construction Safety Week and dedicate themselves to improving the site environment. They should also put more resources into the welfare and training of workers as a way to cope with the challenges ahead.
The Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), Mr Lee Shing-see, said at the ceremony, "The courses offered by the CIC place an emphasis on job skills training for different work categories, as well as cultivating awareness of occupational health and safety. We have formulated safety guidelines to help the industry reach the goal of a zero-accident site environment."
The Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme 2011 was jointly organised by the Development Bureau and the CIC. The Scheme aims to promote a considerate attitude on construction sites and good safety, health and environmental practices in the construction sector by commending outstanding role models. A total of 42 sites were granted the Considerate Contractors Site Award this year, with 22 from the public works stream and 20 from the private works stream.
There are several award categories under the Scheme, including the Considerate Contractors Site Award (New Works), the Considerate Contractors Site Award (Repair, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works), the Outstanding Environmental Management and Performance Award and the Model Worker Award. To recognise the achievements of outstanding subcontractors and frontline workers in promoting a culture of site safety, the Model Subcontractor Award, the Model Frontline Supervisor Award, the Best Model Frontline Supervisor Award and the Best Model Worker Award were newly introduced this year.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Paul Tang; the Assistant Director (Environmental Compliance) of the Environmental Protection Department, Mr Tang Kin-fai; the Vice President of the Hong Kong Construction Association, Dr Peter Wong; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, Mr Chow Luen-kiu; the President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Dr Chan Fuk-cheung; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Mr Dominic Lam; the President of the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association, Mr Anthony Chan; the President of the Hong Kong Construction Subcontractors Association, Mr Lawrence Ng; and the Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors, Mr Chan Ka-lung.
Please refer to the Annex for the list of awardees, and click on www.safetyweek.hk to find out more about Construction Safety Week.
Ends/Thursday, May 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:06
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