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To enhance the safety of bamboo scaffolds in construction sites and existing buildings, the Buildings Department has published a set of guidelines on the design, construction and use of the bamboo scaffolds.
A department spokesman said today (May 15) that the new guidelines were useful reference for scaffolders and building contractors for good practices on the design, erection, maintenance, inspection and dismantling of bamboo scaffolds. Property management companies, building owners and occupants, and business operators could make reference to the guidelines for a better understanding of the safety requirements when commissioning a bamboo scaffold for new building works and existing building repair, alteration and renovation works.
¡§The new guidelines, entitled ¡¥Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Bamboo Scaffolds¡¦, provide detailed technical information on the design and construction of certain types of bamboo scaffolds commonly used in Hong Kong,¡¨ the spokesman said.
The key features of the guidelines included double-layered bamboo scaffold for construction, renovation and repair works, truss-out bamboo scaffolds for minor repair works and bamboo scaffolds for the construction of signboards. The guidelines also provide general technical details for the key elements of bamboo scaffold such as putlogs, steel brackets, drill-in anchor bolts and nylon strips.
¡§Scaffolders should pay special attention to the installation of putlogs. Sufficient number of putlogs can ensure that bamboo scaffolds are securely fixed onto the structural members of a building and minimizes the chance of collapse,¡¨ he said.
¡§Regular inspections and proper maintenance of bamboo scaffolds are essential to ensure the safety of the bamboo scaffolds. More frequent inspections should be carried out by qualified scaffolders when the tropical cyclone or strong monsoon signals are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory and during periods of strong wind. In addition, the bamboo scaffolds should be removed once the works are completed,¡¨ he said, noting that any failure of bamboo scaffolds could cause injury or economic loss.
The spokesman said that the new guidelines supplemented the existing code of practice issued by the Labour Department in 2001, which focused on the safety of workers when erecting and using bamboo scaffolds. Practitioners should refer to the Buildings Department¡¦s guidelines and the code of practice issued by the Labour Department concurrently as good practices to safeguard the safety and well-being of the public.
A new Announcement of Public Interest has been launched today to get the public, building owners and occupants, business operators and scaffolders¡¦ attention to the importance of bamboo scaffold safety, especially in strong winds.
The ¡§Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Bamboo Scaffolds¡¨ can be viewed on the Buildings Department¡¦s website (www.bd.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, May 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:41
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