Housing Authority enforces stringent site safety system (with photo)
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With a stringent site safety management system, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) endeavours to enhance site safety in both its completed estates and those under construction, aiming at achieving zero fatal accidents as well as no more than nine accidents per 1 000 workers.
"Construction site conditions are complex and full of hazards. It is inevitable that near-miss incidents and accidents still occur in HA's construction sites occasionally. We recorded accident rates of 6.8 per 1 000 workers for new works contracts and 1.5 per 1 000 workers for maintenance works contracts last year, which is, however, lower than an average industry accident rate of 34.5 per 1 000 workers in Hong Kong during the same period. We also recorded zero fatalities against 10 cases in the construction industry last year," a spokesman for the HA said today (September 3).
"We have just completed the Progress Report on Implementation of the HA Site Safety Strategy in 2016. This strategy is implemented at all our new works and maintenance works sites, and is also applicable to the work of our property service agents, cleaning services contractors and security contractors. Bearing in mind our safety commitment – to lower accident rates and achieve zero fatalities, we continue to enhance our site safety strategy through procurement strategies and a performance monitoring mechanism with incentives and sanctions, enhanced contract requirements as well as fostering a safety culture through research, training and promotion," he added.
The HA has analysed site accidents by type at its construction sites in 2016 and found that, among all the accidents, the "slip, trip or fall on the same level" category came first both in new works and maintenance works contracts. "To foster safety awareness among industry stakeholders, the HA organised safety promotional events in the form of forums, seminars and workshops. The Site Safety Forum 2017 under the theme of 'Prevention through Design', focusing on application of innovative ideas for safe design and enhancement of management processes as well as safety equipment, was held in early July this year," the spokesman said. Together with inculcation of safety awareness, careful design can reduce accidents and ensure smooth and safe execution of works.
In March 2016, the HA received the Gold Award in the Client-Developer category of the Derek Smyth Safety Leadership Awards, organised by the Lighthouse Club with the support of the Construction Industry Council. "The award recognises our exemplary efforts in safety leadership at every stage of our projects, which include engaging with stakeholders to improve the safety management system, addressing safety in the design process, and implementing safe working practices during construction," the spokesman said.
The spokesman stressed, "Works contractors must ensure robust implementation of site safety management with enhanced vigilance and stringent supervision. HA will continue to adopt a stern attitude in monitoring accidents and near miss-incidents. Whenever there is an incident or accident, we will conduct a review and formulate enhancement measures with contractors to prevent a similar recurrence. Appropriate regulatory actions such as alerts, warnings or other more severe measures will be taken against contractors with an unsatisfactory site safety performance."
Ends/Sunday, September 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:04
Issued at HKT 12:04
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