Construction and Property Management Sectors Join Hands to Enhance Safety Performance with a New Generation of Truss-out Bamboo Scaffolding

Despite construction and property management occupying different stages of the building life cycle, their scopes of work are interrelated. Both sectors also share common agendas and challenges, such as the need to raise safety levels. Their shared interests led to a recent example of cross-industry collaboration, the “Handling Scaffolding Works” Code of Conduct and related Best Practice Guide were released and published in the government gazette, the result of a collaborative effort by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and Property Management Services Authority (PMSA). Another recent development was a visit by Mr. Tony TSE, PMSA Chairperson and Legislative Council member, to the CIC's Hong Kong Construction Industry Trade Testing Centre (HKCITTC), where he learned about the latest technological developments in truss-out bamboo scaffolds (aka “flying scaffolds”).
 

Adopting the CIC's Five Key Recommendations to Address Industry Needs

Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC, appreciated the PMSA’s efforts to develop the “Handling Scaffolding Works” Code of Conduct and related Best Practice Guide. He was also pleased with the adoption of CIC recommendations for truss-out bamboo scaffolding works, which enabled the Code and related Guide to closely address industry needs and subsequently prevent future accidents. The CIC’s recommendations included:

1. Notify the Labour Department five working days before commencing truss-out bamboo scaffolding works;
2. Ensure that projects’ responsible persons have acquired relevant training and qualifications (e.g. green card, passed skill assessment, etc);
3. Inspections on usage of fixed anchor devices (eye bolts) or transportable temporary anchor devices;
4. Monitor and ensure scaffold workers to wear safety harnesses and attached to a secure anchorage point before passing through windows;
5. Report any incidents of non-compliance to the Labour Department.

The recommendations gained strong support from the property management sector, leading to a collaborative effort to improve the safety performance of truss-out bamboo scaffolding works. Mr. Tony TSE, PMSA Chairperson, thanked the CIC for its valuable advice while noting that the main cause of construction accidents is due to negligence among frontline staff in applying safety measures. He emphasised that worker safety is the property management industry’s top priority, and that the PMSA strives to create safe work environments for all stakeholders while at the same time enhancing the industry’s level of professionalism.
 

Nine Major Inspection Points Prioritised for Property Management

As an industry leader, the CIC encourages all stakeholders to take responsibility for construction safety. When erecting truss-out bamboo scaffolds for tasks such as air-conditioning installation and water pipe replacement, the CIC has suggested the following nine safety measures:

1. Notify the Labour Department and confirm the working environment is safe prior to erecting truss-out bamboo scaffolds;
2. Check workers’ qualifications before work;
3. Fence off the affected area; check and confirm that materials are correct, ensure that tools and equipment are sufficient and functioning properly;
4. Ensure that the fixed anchor devices (eye bolts) or transportable temporary anchor devices are installed and verified by a competent person;
5. Scaffold workers are required to wear full body safety harnesses and attached to a secure anchorage point prior to installing external wall supporting frames (metal brackets). The safety at entire processes should be supervised by a competent person in bamboo scaffolding;
6. Property management office should conduct periodic checks on work progress and safety measures. For example, whether the scaffold worker has worn full body safety harness and attached it to an anchor devices properly;
7. Correct change over between anchor devices. Check whether scaffold worker have fastened the lanyard of safety harness from the transportable temporary anchor devices to the eye bolt or independent lifeline on the building’s outer wall while erecting the bamboo scaffolding standards and ledgers, adding fire resistance canvas or netting, and laying platform planks. At any time the harness shall attach to at least one suitable anchor device;
8. When construction work is completed, property management staff and the main contractor representative shall inspect the truss-out scaffold to determine any residual risk (e.g. flammable materials or loosen members);
9. Finally, examine the scaffolding structure and issue a statutory report (aka Form 5).

During the processes, property management staff may offer professional advice to ensure safety at work.

Both parties also discussed about the insurance issues. The CIC has included the insurance details in the contactor’s notification form to Labour Department and hope that the contractor that accredited under OSH Star Enterprise Schemes of Occupational Safety and Health Council could receive a premium discounts which would encourage the contractors to implement sufficient safety measures. It was noted that during the recent site visits by CIC’s safety department the new recommendations has been implemented at a number of scalable housing estates in Hong Kong. In addition, the Labour Department was intended to inspect the scaffolding works for safety upon receiving the notification form. This shows that the initiative is gradually paying off.

Design for Safety Required for Further Development

One of the key safety measures for working at height is to attach the full body safety harness worn by the worker to a fixed anchor device (aka eye bolt), and this safety measure can save lives if implemented properly. During the major building maintenance and renovation works the contactor usually will install relevant anchor devices for working at height safety. Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC, suggests to stepping up the standards and to include the eye bolts as a permanent feature of new buildings at the design stage. This would enable engineers to take into account the waterproofing and structural requirements in advance and provide suitable anchor devices for future maintenance work, benefiting both landlords and construction workers.

Skill Tests to Ensure Quality

Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC, has shared news that the Council has reformed and enhanced the skill training course, assessment and testing, and supervision for truss-out scaffolding. The CIC's HKCITTC acts as the industry's examination authority for providing independent, fair and creditable trade testing services and establishing industry skill standards and competency levels. Soon, the HKCITTC will launch a stringent " truss-out bamboo scaffolder skill assessment". Candidates will be required to build a truss-out bamboo scaffold within a specified timeframe, with any objects dropped during the process resulting in test failure. In addition to a practical test, candidates will also be required to take a written test on relevant ordinances, codes of conduct, safety knowledge, professional ethics and more. Candidate will only be qualified upon passing both tests. In future, the CIC hopes that every truss-out scaffolding worker will receive its training and obtain a certificate issued by the Council. This would ensure that all truss-out scaffolding workers possess professional skills, and would provide certain guarantees in terms of construction quality and safety awareness.

Orchestrated Effort to Achieve Zero Accidents

Apart from the cooperation on truss-out scaffolding, the construction and property management industries will continue collaboration on issues regarding working at height. The Council believes that stakeholders, regardless of their industry, should take an extra step to realise “Life First, Say NO to Danger”. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, all should collaborate to reduce construction risks and progress towards the goal of “Zero Accidents”.