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* require proper supervision and safety measures to be provided at work sites;

and

require the submission of relevant information so that the Building Authority can determine whether adequate safety measures have been implemented. To ensure safety, the following will be made criminal offences under the Bill -

* failure to provide proper supervision of building works in a prescribed

manner; and

* non-compliance with the conditions attached to the Building Authority's approval of the building plan or consent to the commencement of building works

This will cover building owners, registered contractors, site agents, works supervisors, building professionals and construction workers. Their responsibilities will be clearly defined, in the form of a supervision plan to be prepared by the professionals and approved by the Building Authority, which reflects their actual roles on a work site.

The Administration has thoroughly consulted all concerned bodies before finalising the Bill. I am pleased that all parties share a common objective of improving safety at construction and demolition sites. The concerned industry bodies and the various advisory committees including the Land and Building Advisory Committee have given in-principle support for virtually all of the Administration's proposals.

I have to report that some disagreement from some professional institutes regarding the Administration's proposal to make failure to provide proper supervision by authorised persons and registered structural engineers a criminal offence. But our consensus in other areas far outweighs this difference. As I mentioned earlier, the proposed criminal liability is required to ensure safety. It is in line with sanctions for breaches of other provisions of the Buildings Ordinance and subsidiary Regulations, such as deviation from approved building plans.

The Bill is a reasonable, workable and effective approach in improving building and site safety. I recommend the Bill to Members.

Thank you, Mr President.

End/Wednesday, October 18, 1995