Labour Department Published Addenda to Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety and Code of Practice for Metal Scaffolding Safety

Addenda to Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety and Code of Practice for Metal Scaffolding Safety gazetted

The Labour Department (LD) today (July 31) published the addenda to the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety (Bamboo CoP) and the Code of Practice for Metal Scaffolding Safety (Metal CoP) in the Gazette to take immediate effect to enhance scaffolding safety.

The Labour Department, Photo source: reference image

A spokesperson for the LD said, "The major revisions to the Bamboo CoP and the Metal CoP include: (i) setting out the material requirements for scaffolding toe-boards to ensure that their strength is sufficient to prevent workers and objects from falling from scaffolds, and that the materials used do not increase the fire risk; (ii) requiring that protective screens (including protective nets, tarpaulins, plastic sheeting and canvas) installed on the scaffolding should fulfil the relevant requirements specified in the Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85 issued by the Buildings Department (BD) to ensure they meet the required standard of fire retardant performance; and (iii) requiring that the design and installation of catch-fans should fulfil the relevant requirements specified in the Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Bamboo Scaffolds issued by the BD."

The spokesperson said that the Bamboo CoP and the Metal CoP provide contractors with practical guidance on how to comply with the requirements set out in the occupational safety and health legislation regarding scaffolding work for safeguarding workers' safety.

The spokesperson added, "These CoPs have a special legal status. In criminal proceedings, if a relevant person fails to observe any provision of these CoPs, that failure may be taken by the court as a relevant factor in determining whether or not a person has breached the relevant safety and health legislation."

The addenda to the CoPs can be downloaded from the LD website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8b.htm). Enquiries about the CoPs can be made by calling 2559 2297.

Bamboo scaffolding, Photo by Bastille Post

Red tide sighted

A red tide has been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (July 31).

Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted a red tide at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung, on July 30. The red tide has dissipated and no associated deaths of fish have been reported as of today.

A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Levanderina fissa, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Kau Sai, Ma Nam Wat, Leung Shuen Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Tiu Cham Wan, and Kai Lung Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Source: AI-found images