XN000022-1994-09-12 — Page 2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1994

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ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE DEMOLITION SITE SAFETY SUPPORTED

THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, AND THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, MRS HELEN YU, TODAY (MONDAY) HELD A SPECIAL MEETING WITH THE BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE DEMOLITION

SITE SAFETY.

THERE WAS FULL AGREEMENT AT THE MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE TWO COMMITTEES WHICH REPRESENT THE INDUSTRY THAT EARLY AND ENERGETIC STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON DEMOLITION SITES BOTH ON SITE AND OFF SITE.

THE REPRESENTATIVES FIRMLY SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION PLAN THAT THERE SHOULD BE A REVIEW OF THE SITE SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO AUTHORISED PERSONS, REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND REGISTERED CONTRACTORS.

IN THE INTERIM, ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OF DEMOLITION WORK. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN URGENT REVIEW OF LEGISLATION COVERING THE BUILDING AUTHORITY'S POWER ΤΟ IMPOSE CONDITIONS FOR DEMOLITION WORK.

THE ADEQUACY OF THE PROVISIONS FOR OFFENCES AND PENALTIES WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED.

THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR DEMOLITION CONTRACTORS WILL BE TIGHTENED.

THE MEETING FELT THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS WORKING BUT RECOGNISED THE NEED TO CONSIDER HOW IT CAN BE IMPROVED BOTH IN ITS FORM AND ITS OPERATION.

CAPACITY

MEMBERS ACCEPTED THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLE AND OF THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR THE INDUSTRY'S PERFORMANCE.

BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT CONTINUES ACTION

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FOLLOWING THE BLITZ ACTION OVER THE WEEKEND, BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS ARE REVISITING THE

SITES WITH UNSATISFACTORY FEATURES, SUCH AS:

* EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS;

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OBSTRUCTION TO COVERED WALKWAYS FOR PEDESTRIANS;

NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT TO PROTECTIVE SCREENS;

* NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY SUPPORT то BUILDINGS UNDER

DEMOLITION; AND

UNAUTHORISED USE OF HEAVY MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT.

/THE BUILDINGS