Are there measures taken to ensure site safety in the construction industry?
To sustain continuous improvement in site safety and to promote a safety culture across the construction industry, two safety initiatives were implemented in 2002 to encourage the industry to achieve a safer and healthier workplace. Through the procurement and contractual arrangement, contractors are required to carry out daily cleaning and weekly tidying of the construction sites, and to implement a 'Site Safety Cycle' to increase the safety awareness of workers. With the concerted efforts of all, the accident rate for public works continued to decline in 2002 to 24 accidents per thousand workers per year, representing a decrease of 30 per cent compared with 2001. The overall accident rate of the construction industry recorded a similar decrease in 2002.
Are there plans formulated to improve the quality of public works in Hong Kong?
In order to enhance the quality of public works, the Government has introduced a new tender evaluation system for works contracts. Other than tender prices, the new system also places emphasis on the quality of service and take into account the tenderers' technical proposals for the works as well as the tenderers' past performance.
The establishment of the Provisional Construction Industry Coordination Board (PCICB) has provided an avenue for the Government to strengthen its close collaboration with the construction industry in pursuance of the recommendations made by the Construction Industry Review Committee. The board launched a website in March to enable the public to have access to its discussion papers, summaries of decisions, ongoing tasks and key deliverables.
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