XN000022-1996-01-16 — Page 5

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"The Pay for Safety scheme will identify sums payable for carrying safety measures and penalise contractors for their non-performance in accordance with the contractual requirements."

Mr Berry continued: "By linking performance of safety items with payment, it will take away pressure on contractors to compromise safety for the sake of returning a more price-competitive bid in a tendering exercise or in the subsequent implementation of safety plans proposed in their bid.

"In addition, independent auditors will visit worksites to evaluate a contractor's performance. They will check whether the safety management procedures and other measures listed in the safety audit are being implemented."

The audit scheme will be managed by the Occupational Safety and Health Council and will be introduced gradually on the advice of the Council.

The "Pay for Safety" scheme and independent auditing procedure have the support of the Hong Kong Construction Association and the Construction Advisory Board.

"The Government aims to extend the two schemes gradually to all public works contracts. We hope the private sector will adopt similar procedures in their management of worksite safety," said Mr Berry.

End

Statement on MTR incident

In response to media enquiries, a Transport Branch spokesman said the Government would study the MTRC report on the incident of December 29, 1995, carefully. He said the Government Chief Inspecting Officer of Railway had been asked to follow up the matter with MTRC and to make recommendations.

End