XN000022-1995-10-02 — Page 4

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While in Beijing, Mr Chau will call on State Councillor and Minister of the State Science and Technology Commission, Dr Song Jian; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Fengchao; and Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation, Mr Gu Yongjiang.

Other members of the delegation include the Director-General of Industry, Mrs Regina Ip, and Assistant Director-General of Industry, Mr Raymond Young.

End/Monday, October 2, 1995

New task force to enhance construction sites safety

The Buildings Department has commissioned a new task force today (Monday) to monitor the performance of building constructors and professionals on construction and demolition sites throughout the territory in a bid to enhance public safety.

Speaking at a press conference announcing the setting up of the Site Monitoring Section (SMS), Chief Officer (Site Monitoring), Mr So Kin-shing, said the major task of the team was to protect the public by improving safety at work sites through a programme of systematic inspections.

Following the tragedy at the Hotel Fortuna demolition site in September last year, the Buildings Department was determined to strengthen measures for safety assurance on work sites and to ensure that those responsible for building and demolition works would comply with the government's safety requirements.

Comprising more than 30 professional, technical and support staff, SMS will visit sites and inspect the works in progress. The target is that each of the 1,000 or so sites in the territory will be visited up to three times a year on average.

"The frequency of visit will vary, depending on the nature and scale of the construction work and the degree of risk," Mr So explained, "Our prime concern is interface with public safety.

"For instance, we will pay more attention to the projects involving demolition, deep excavation, construction of high retaining walls, or the use of heavy powered mechanical plant."