XN000022-1996-11-26 — Page 12

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11.

New rules for Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme

The Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, today (Tuesday) said the absence from conviction of a number of additional worksite related regulations would be included as new requirements in appraising the performance standards of participants in the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme.

Mr Kwong said that after completing a comprehensive review of the scheme, two major changes would be introduced to further elevate the standards of performance of the participants.

Firstly, any breaches in the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance; the Builders' Lift and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Ordinance and the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations would also be considered by the judging panel.

Secondly, the appraisal period would be increased from six months to 12 months to tie in with the calendar year instead of half-yearly.

Speaking at the Phase III of the Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme Ceremony today, Mr Kwong said it was promising to note the feedback from the participants that the scheme did help increasing the site safety awareness of both contractors and workers, and remind them to pay more attention to site management.

The first two phases of the scheme were conducted between April 1995 and March this year to recognise contractors with outstanding records of safety and site management. For the Phase III of the Scheme, a total of 13 contractors chosen from 40 government work sites were presented with award certificates and award plagues by the Works Branch.

Also officiating at the ceremony were the Acting Commissioner for Labour, Mr Alfred Chan, the President of Hong Kong Construction Association, Mr Peter Lam, and the Executive Director of Occupational Safety and Health Council, Mr Yip Yuk- lun.

Mr Kwong said he was glad to note that comparing to the last two phases, it was evident from the increase in the percentage of winning sites from 30 to 38 per cent that more contractors are aware of the importance of site safety and having a considerate attitude.