XN000022-1976-01-07 — Page 13

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Wednesday, January 7, 1976

PROPOSALS AGAINST NOISE POLLUTION UNDER STUDY

Proposed measures to reduce noise nuisance created by construction works are being examined by various branches and departments of government.

The Director of Public Works, the Hon. David McDonald, said this

in his reply in the Legislative Council today to the Hon. Alex Wu's question

on noise pollution arising from piling works.

He said that one of these proposed measures, put forward by the Noise Pollution Sub-Committee of EPCOM, was to extend the present ten hour ban on piling works to cover the period between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

However, Mr. McDonald emphasised that though further reduction of

noise pollution was highly desirable, "consideration must be given to the

overall effects of restricting working hours".

In the case of extending the ban on piling works, he said it was

thought that this would not have a serious effect on programming or costs

in the construction industry.

Mr. Wu also asked whether the Government would make it compulsory for employers of piling workers to provide such workers with protective hearing equipment while operating pile-drivers.

In reply, the Commissioner for Labour, the Hon. Ian Price, said the

Government would certainly consider what practical steps should be taken

to protect workers' hearing.

"However, at this stage I prefer to keep open the options as to

whether such protection should be by the method suggested in the question

and whether or not it should be limited only to workers employed on pile

drivers," Mr. Price added.

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