ENG-1994 — Page 258

HOUSING

Quality Assurance

The authority has continued the initiative begun in 1991 to ensure that its listed contractors attain the ISO 9000 series quality standards in order to be considered for admission to its tender lists.

By the end of 1994, about 80 listed building contractors were certified to ISO 9002. The target for electrical and lift contractors to be certified by October 1, 1994 has also been achieved. In addition, the authority's consultants have now begun to move towards ISO 9001, with a target certification date of April 1, 1996.

Further to the certification of the authority's works group to ISO 9001 in 1993, various quality improvement projects are being implemented.

The Performance Assessment Scoring System (PASS), which objectively measures the performance of building contractors on the new works construction projects, continues to highlight an ever-improving level of construction quality.

Defects Action Centre

The Defects Action Centre, set up in 1993, provides a useful database on building defects in Harmony blocks. It aims to identify the main causes of defects in newly-completed constructions and to consider action to minimise these in future. The centre's feedback reports are circulated monthly to project teams to inform them of particular instances of material failure or poor workmanship, and to offer solutions for implementation in ongoing contracts. Housing managers also render an invaluable contribution to this process by advising their tenants and decoration contractors of defects which arise from misuse or misunderstanding of fittings and services.

Site Safety

The authority's award campaign for site safety has been extended to cover civil and maintenance works sites as well as building sites.

A five-star award system of gold and silver medals encourages companies to improve safety standards. Greater emphasis has been placed on the importance of adequate safety training for the contractors' workforce and their supervisors.

Meanwhile, research is being undertaken by the authority's consultant, the University of Hong Kong, with a view to producing comprehensive guidelines on preventative measures which need to be adopted to improve the site safety record of certain high risk trades.

Exchanging Views

The chairman and members of the authority regularly visit estates to meet tenants and community representatives, and exchange views.

These visits are in addition to regular meetings with the community representatives, either at the authority's headquarters or at other venues. Open meetings of the authority are also held regularly, so that members of the public may attend and observe the proceedings.

Information Centres

For the benefit of residents of private buildings affected by redevelopment, the authority has established three housing information centres in conjunction with the City and New Territories Administration. With the support of the Social Welfare Department, Labour

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