The Labour Department (LD) held a meeting on "Enhancement of Scaffolding Safety" today (January 24) to explore ways to enhance the safe use of scaffolds. 

     The meeting was chaired by the Commissioner for Labour, Ms May Chan, and attended by representatives from the Development Bureau, the Architectural Services Department, the Buildings Department, the Construction Industry Council, main contractors' and sub-contractors' associations (including the bamboo scaffolding industry and the curtain wall industry), workers' unions and relevant professional associations.

     At the meeting, the LD briefed the attendees on serious scaffold collapse accidents that occurred in the past few years. Additionally, the LD discussed with the trade how to enhance the safe use of scaffolds on external walls, ensuring that scaffolds are secure and stable during work to avoid accidents.

     A spokesman for the LD said, "We hope to work together with the trade to prevent the recurrence of such accidents. The LD will prudently consider the opinions of the trade representatives and continue to work closely with relevant organisations and stakeholders to explore ways to enhance the safe use of scaffolds."

     The spokesperson stressed that putlogs for securing scaffolds to the external walls of building structures are of paramount importance to the stability of scaffolds. There should be sufficient and properly installed putlogs. The scaffolds (including putlogs) should be regularly checked, as well as properly repaired and maintained to ensure their safe and secure condition. 

     The LD reiterated that the Codes of Practice for scaffolding safety issued by the LD clarify these requirements for the trade and provide practical guidance on scaffolding safety. To ensure the safety and stability of scaffolds on construction sites, main contractors and sub-contractors should make planning as early as possible. They should take into account the works to be carried out by each contractor using the scaffolds on external walls, as well as formulate and implement suitable work arrangements, to avoid improper alterations to the scaffolds (including cutting off the putlogs) during the construction stage, as well as incompatible work activities being carried out at the same time in the vicinity of the scaffolds, which could affect their stability.

Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:30

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