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The Works Bureau decides to introduce this year "Site Safety Cycle" in public works contracts to further reduce the accident rates at public works sites.

This is revealed by the Secretary for Works, Mr Lee Shing-see, at the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme 2000 Award Presentation Ceremony this (March 27) afternoon.

"The purpose of such is to raise the safety awareness of site personnel, in particular construction workers, and to enhance management at site level especially on safety and tidiness to reduce accidents," Mr Lee said.

In addition, the WB will encourage the broader use of metal scaffolding to enhance safety of working at height, he added.

The overall accident rate at public works sites for 2000 was 45 accidents per 1000 workers per year which is below WB's target of 55 and about 30 per cent that of the overall construction industry.

The secretary said that since 1993, the bureau had required contractors of public works to establish and implement safety management systems, including the provision of safety training and setting up of safety committees to seek the commitment and co-operation of all personnel on sites.

"Such implementation has proved to be effective and accident rates of public works contracts have been on a downward trend."

He said that the WB organised the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme for the purpose of enhancing good site management, in particular site safety and environmental consciousness on and adjacent to construction sites.

"It also instills a culture across the construction industry of providing a safe and healthy working environment," he said.

The immediate beneficiaries after the implementation of the Scheme are of course the workers working at and the citizens living or working near the construction sites.

In addition, the Scheme also helps the construction industry improve and promote its image and be accountable to the public.

"This would have a long-term effect in the development of the industry," Mr Lee said.

A total of 27 sites received the awards today. These included 19 public sector sites and 8 private sector sites.

The secretary was also encouraged to see that more and more sites were participating in the scheme.

When the Scheme started in 1995, there were only nine public sector sites participating. It was expanded in 1997 to include private sector sites. There were 83 sites participating in the 2000 scheme.

"This great number reflects the growing importance of the construction industry attached to the overall performance of site management, in particular over site safety and environmental performance.

"I hope that participating sites would continue their effort to reduce site accidents and minimise disturbance to the adjacent public. The Works Bureau would like to see that the scheme could help to enhance the quality in site management and improve the image of the construction industry."

The officiating guests included Commissioner for Labour, Mrs Pamela Tan; Director of Buildings, Mr C M Leung; and Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Mike Stokoe.

Also included were President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Professor Patrick Lau; President of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Dr John Luk; and President of the Hong Kong Construction Association, Mr Billy Wong.

End/Tuesday, March 27, 2001

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