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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) commended industry practitioners with outstanding performance in its public housing construction and maintenance projects today (December 14) at the Quality Public Housing Construction and Maintenance Awards jointly organised by the HA and industry associations.
The annual event aims at commending the outstanding performance of contractors, supervisors, project teams and front-line workers. They are also encouraged to enhance work quality by seeking to apply innovative technologies and creativity in building and maintenance works.
Officiating at the awards presentation ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr D W Pescod, said that forging ahead to meet the housing production target in the coming years would be a huge challenge for the HA's building and housing management teams.
"While we endeavour to expedite the subsidised housing production, we must not compromise on site safety. 'Zero incidents' is our ultimate goal," said Mr Pescod. He also appealed to industry practitioners for their co-operation in adhering to site safety guidelines and green practices for the protection of workers and the sustainability of the environment.
This year a record of more than 150 awards and certificates were awarded. Comprising representatives of the HA and the co-organisers, the judging panel's assessments were based on work quality, workmanship, environmental protection, occupational safety and health, ethical integrity, partnering and customer service.
The co-organisers included the Hong Kong Construction Association, the Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors, the Hong Kong Construction Sub-Contractors Association, the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, the Construction Site Workers General Union, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering and Appliances Trade Workers Union, the Hong Kong General Union of Lift and Escalator Employees, the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Construction Industry Council and the Vocational Training Council.
Information on the awards will be uploaded onto the HA/Housing Department website (www.housingauthority.gov.hk). Display boards showing the awardees and winning projects will also be openly exhibited at the Resource Centre of the Construction Industry Council at Kowloon Bay between December 28, 2013 and January 8, 2014 (9am–6pm, except January 1).
Ends/Saturday, December 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:34
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