1.

Contents
2. 3. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 Case Study .............................................................................................................. 4 i. Case 1: ICC Construction Accident ................................................................. 4 ii. Case 2: Crane Hits Light Train ......................................................................... 5 iii. Case 3: Workers Hit by Hook of Tower Crane ................................................ 6 iv. Case 4: Contractor Fall at Height with Safety belt ......................................... 6 Major causes .......................................................................................................... 7 Summary of all cases.............................................................................................. 8 Responsibility on different parties involved .......................................................... 9 i. Government ................................................................................................... 9 ii. The developer (as an employer) .................................................................... 9 iii. The designer (Register Structural Engineer) ................................................ 10 iv. The contractor .............................................................................................. 10 v. The Subcontractor ........................................................................................ 10 vi. Worker (as an employee)............................................................................. 10 vii. Project manager ........................................................................................... 11 viii. Safety Officer & Supervisor .......................................................................... 11 Examples of Preventive Measurement ................................................................ 12 i. Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme .............................................. 12 ii. Construction Safety Promotional Campaign ................................................ 13 iii. Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme .............................................. 14 iv. Pay for Safety Scheme (PFSS) ....................................................................... 15 v. Safety Partnering Programme(SPP) ............................................................. 15 Milestone Payment of Safety Partnering Programme (SPP) ....................... 16 vi. Leaflets & Posters......................................................................................... 16 vii. Training Course ............................................................................................ 17 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING CENTRE .......................... 17 viii. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) .......................................................... 18 Summary of all Safety measurements ................................................................. 18 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 19 Reference ............................................................................................................. 20 Websites ............................................................................................................... 20

4. 5.

6.

7. 8.

Books .................................................................................................................... 20 Appendix I - Industrial accidentrate in HK ................................................................... 21 Appendix II Safety Partnering Programme (SPP) ...................................................... 26

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2. Introduction
The Hong Kong construction industry remains a high risk sector and the accident toll is relatively high compared to other industrial sectors, with fatal cases topping all sectors. In 2009, among the recorded industrial accidents, 20.3% happened on construction sites and construction industry fatal accidents accounted for 90.5% of overall industrial fatal accidents. Industrial Accidents in All Industrial Undertadings in 2009 analysed by Industry
Manufacturing Industries
Construction Industry Catering Industry Mining and Quarrying, Utilities, Transport and Servicing Industries

9.8% 15.0% 20.3% 54.9%

The current framework regulating construction site safety in Hong Kong is based on a combination of enforcement of the applicable laws and regulations under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59) (FIUO) and the Occupation Safety and Health Ordinance (Cap 509) (OSHO), promotion and education of best safety practices, inspection by the Labour Department and self-regulation by the stakeholders in the construction industry. The developers in Hong Kong act immaturely on the issue of construction safety. The attitude of the developers is mainly focused on whether the project can obtain a profit of about 15 - 20%. Compared tothe public sector, that follows the code, results in a relative low accident rate.

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In addition, the culture of construction of Hong Kong is to compress the construction period so as to complete the project and sell the flats out for earning money. That is why the accident rate is being pushed up. Government expects to reduce the mortality by half by 2013 and then to achieve "zero death" in 2020, but it is obviously not a sense of optimism as there is vigorous cut-throat competition between local contractors. They would submit the lowest bidding price in order to increase chances of winning contracts, no matter to not investing in the safety measurement. Even if the more building safety concerns and measurements have done, it makes no difference in reducing the rate construction accident in Hong Kong. Since 2003, the casualty rate in construction industry is more or less 6% (See Figure 1a) which means on an average 60 workers engage in construction accidents out of 1000 of them. Compared with other Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, Hong Kong is about 10 times higher (See Figure 2a).
Construction Safety Measurement and Accident Rate

Figure 1a: Safety Measurement and Accident Rate(Source: The University of Hong Kong)

Accident rate of workers in different regions

Number of Accident/1000 workers
300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Hong Kong Canada Australia Japan UK USA Figure 2a: Accident Rate of workers in different regions

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According to the Labour Department, it has issued an annual average of about 700 summonses (See Table 1) but the number of high-altitude tragedies cannot be reduced. Labour union representatives questioned if there is a shortage of manpower for regular inspection. The government should put more manpower for inspections and also increase the frequency of inspections. Also, those contractors that ignore the importance of safety should be blacklisted and prohibited from bidding projects for a period of time.
Table 1: Summons released of High-altitude tragedies in recent years Year 2010 (Until JAN) 2009 2007 2006 Source: Labour Department Case with fatalities 3 16 8 9 Number of summons 691 687 779

One unreasonable thing is that, even in some government construction sites, it is found that workers mostly neglect the adoption of wearing harness when they work at height. This is strongly criticized by the members of legislative council that the government did not do well in supervising and monitoring the workers in performing safety measurement which cannot take the lead and act as a role model for those contractors to follow suit. Avoiding wearing of harness is still a serious problem as this causes one of the most common types of accidents Falling from height.

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3. Case Study
i. Case 1: ICC Construction Accident

http://www.safety-yp.com/?m=safetyyp&a=pub&vc=articleMgt&op=read&articleId=834

The accident at the building site of the International Commerce Center (the ICC) in West Kowloon on 13 September 2009 has caused six workers tragically fell to their deaths when the working platform collapsed.While the number of casualties was unusually high, it could be argued that the accident was waiting to happen, given the large number of prosecutions (about 1000) that take place annually over sub-standard work platforms and workplace conditions in high places. It is found that asafe working system, such as providing harnesses and those preventive measurements on working platform, is not providedwithin the lift shaft for those workers and therefore when the working platform suddenly broken due to high loading, the six workers directly fell to death. Besides, it is found that the contractor illegally employ unregistered workers who without a safety card. Those workers can enter and leave the site freely without anyone notice. Also, they had no idea what safety officer is and did not receive any safety equipment when working on the site.

Sample of safety card

Also, the accident happened on holiday which indicated the construction underwent without safety supervisor on duty and it was another illegal issue charged. Besides, there was no briefing on safety issues for those workers before the commencement of work. The awareness and knowledge on safety issue of those workers are found to be limited. 4

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ii. Case 2: Crane Hits Light Train

(http://www.safety-yp.com/module_output/m_safetyyp/20100910204019_93748.jpg)

On 10 September 2010, the 40-meter boom of a Rough Terrain crane struck the carriages of a light rail transit and brought down overhead power lines after it tipped over. The cranes boom came down on a Light Tail Transit compartment near TUEN MUN station. It seems fairly clear that the main cause of the accident was an outrigger issue, at least one of the outriggers on the side that it tipped; either punched into the ground or was not extended. After investigation, it is believed that the soil of the site is softened aftera heavy rain on the previous day. One of the outriggers is found to be sunken into the softened soil which makes the crane toppled. It is obviously that the construction accident is caused by the weather condition which is undesirable and also unpredictable. In this case, not only the workers inside the sites got damage, a light train bypass was also hit by the toppling crane and the passengers inside were also slightly injured. Though, fortunately, no one was killed in such accident, safety precaution should be taken in order to minimize the possibility of similar accident to happen again. When operating heavy crane, the stability of the soil condition has to be determined and the hydraulic arms on both sides of the truck have to be fully extended on the soil so as to stabilize the crane. The bottom supporting frame should be applying at least 2 or 3 inches thick of two sleepers in a cross order and then adding iron plates with large area on the bottom so as to distribute the body weight of the crane evenly on the ground and prevent excessive loading which might toppling the crane.

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iii. Case 3: Workers Hit by Hook of Tower Crane

http://www.safety-yp.com/?m=safetyyp&a=pub&vc=articleMgt&op=read&articleId=647

The accident happened at the public construction site at Ngau Tau Kokon 01 November 2008 has caused one formwork assembly worker hit by the hook tower crane while hanging the formwork and fell from 3m high, which cause seriously injured. At the same time, another worker inside the tower cane watched through CCTV, and found that the assembly worker laid on the floor 3m below.

iv.

Case 4: Contractor Fall at Height with Safety belt

http://www.safety-yp.com/?m=safetyyp&a=pub&vc=articleMgt&op=read&articleId=869

On 7 Jan 2010, a contractor fell from height with safety harness at a construction site in Wan Chai, Hung Hing Road while he demolishing the I-beam from the advertisingframes at 7 floors high. The accident has happened because the contractor misused the safety harness and he was working at night with cold weather. Moreover, the working environment does not have any illuminating systems.

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From the previous cases study, seven major causes can be drawn.

4. Major causes
1. Procurement method The contractor would like to submit the lowest bid to win the contract among the other contractors, they might pay less consideration on the past safety record. 2. Multi-layered subcontracting Subcontracting system is commonly practiced in Hong Kong due to the diversified and specialized construction works. However, this might bring in a problem of poor communication between those parties involved. 3. Working conditions and Poor housekeeping The working conditions of construction sites are well-known to be dirty and untidy. Workers, under poor working condition,are exposed to high risk, such as slippery floor, unstable stacking and hidden obstruction. Moreover, the working cycle of construction is always rush and tight. Workers are required to work for long hours on a specialized work which makes them fatigue and boring. That might increase the possibility of construction accident. 4. Weather and outdoor activities Under poor weather condition, it is extremely dangerous and risky to work outdoor, especially for those who is working at height. Also, under humid weather, the electrical appliance may malfunction & even catch fire; or under high temperature, workers may get sunstroke when works prolonged under sunshine. 5. Hazardous operations Working at height, welding, concreting, steel-fixing and working in confined space are regarded as high risk operation. More precautions should be done. 6. High risk acceptance and ignorance of risk (Peer group pressure) Workers mostly would like to work at fast pace and therefore those time consuming preventive measurements, such as wearing harness when work at height, would be neglected. Also, under peer group pressure, if their colleagues do the same way, the others would follow suit. 7

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7. Quality of workers The workers may omit to take any safety measurement or misuse those safety protective devices due to limited and poor knowledge on safety concerns. The risk of workers therefore increased.

Summary of all cases

Case Cause Procurement Method Multi-layered Subcontracting Poor Working condition and Poor housekeeping Weather and outdoor activities Hazardous Operation High Risk Acceptance Quality of Workers 1 ICC 2 Crane Toppling 3 Hit by hook of tower crane 4 Fell at height

From the table drawn above, an accident occurs might not attribute only to one particular reason and usually in a combination of causes. Different causes involved different parties and therefore different parties should maintain a high standard of safety awareness and taken relative safety measurement in order to reduce the chance of accident occurred. In the following, we are going to discuss the responsibilities of different parties and different safety measurements that can be conducted.

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5. Responsibility on different parties involved
i.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Government
Providing Safety training course E.g. Mandatory Basic Safety Training (MBST) Course Organizing Safety Scheme E.g. Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme (CCSAS) Organizing Safety Campaign E.g.Construction Safety Promotional Campaign Increasing promotion on safety culture E.g.Construction Site Safety Handbook Establishing and strengthen laws through legislation I. II. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Chapter 509) Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (CAP 59)

ii.
1.

The developer (as an employer)

Provision of information An Employer should provide information e.g. existing drawings, plans showing building services or previous survey reports of locations and/or structure, etc. as well as those that can be obtainable from authorities such as underground cables and servicesfor: designers (including the architect and structural engineer) to eliminate unnecessary risks; and contractors to manage safety. Protection of resident staff I. Site safety plans and safe working method statements have sufficient coverage and provide the necessary protection; II. Arrangements have been established and maintained to monitor the effectiveness of the protective measures; and III. Proper training to enhance the employees safety awareness and competency to manage safety has been provided and continuously updated Exercising effective management control over contractors Closely monitoring the contractors safety performance via reports and coordinating meetings 9

2.

3.

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iii. The designer (Register Structural Engineer)
The site safety management functions of the RSE stream are: I. To verify that the conditions on site are consistent with assumptions made in the design of the permanent works and in the design of those method statements and temporary works, which are shown on the prescribed plans; II. To supervise, in accordance with the frequency set out in the SupervisionPlan, and ensure that the method statements and temporary works shown on the prescribed plans are adhered to.

iv.
1. 2. 3. 4.

The contractor
Design out unnecessary hazard during the design stage Inclusion and enforcement of safety requirements in the contract Monitoring subcontractors safety performance Devising a comprehensive safety plan I. Safety communication II. Monitoring III. Safety equipment and facilities IV. Emergency procedures V. Reporting of dangerous occurrences and accidents/incidents Awarding or penalizing sub-contractors for their performance Preparing the budget for safety

5. 6.

v.
1. 2. 3. 4.

The Subcontractor
Providing and executing safety instructions Rewarding subcontractors in the next tier Penalizing workers who breach safety rules Feedback of risk assessment result to the principal contractor

vi.

Worker (as an employee)

An employee or a worker should: I. conduct work activities in strict compliance with legal requirements II. provide feedback and advice on the effectiveness of safety measures III. report hazards to supervisors and warn colleagues of the risks; IV. participate actively in tool box meetings and hazard identification sessions; V. wearpersonal protective equipment as required 10

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vii. Project manager

The project director is responsible for the provision of support and resources required to maintain safe and healthy working conditions for site activities under his direct control. In particular, he should: 1. approve individual site safety policy for the prevention of injury, damage and wastage and to set targets for safety performance (e.g. reducing accidents); 2. provide for the necessary funding and facilities required to meet the policy commitment; 3. provide and maintain a high standard of safe and healthy working conditions in all construction sites under his control; 4. ensure that the Site Safety Plan is established, regularly reviewed, kept up-to-date and effectively implemented on all construction site under his control;

viii. Safety Officer & Supervisor

A. Safety Officer(s) at site level Under Safety Officers Regulations, the total number of persons employed by him in construction sites is 100 or more. Safety Officer(s) should: I. advising the contractor on the implementation of a safety management system in the construction site; II. inspecting the workplace to identify potential hazards and reporting the findings with recommendations to the contractor for improvement; III. assisting in the supervision of safety supervisors; IV. preparing and submitting monthly reports to the contractor in the approved form B. Safety Supervisor(s) Under Safety Officers Regulations, one safety supervisor should be employed in each site with 20 or more persons under his employment. Safety supervisor(s) should: I. assisting a safety officer in carrying out his duties; II. supervising the observance of safety standards by the workers; III. preparing and submitting weekly reports to the contractor or the safety officer in a specified form (Form 3A or 3B). IV. wearing an armband or safety helmet with his identity whilst working on site. 11

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6. Examples of Preventive Measurement
i. Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme

The scheme is jointly organized by the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council and various organizations from the Government and the construction industry. It aims to enhance awareness among construction contractors and workers of safety and health at work, to foster a positive safety culture and to encourage the adoption of safe work practices. (http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/pdf/Leaflet2010.pdf) The three main categories of awards for the scheme are Construction Sites, Safety Teams and Safe Workers. Entries for the Construction Sites awards will be divided into eight sub-categories, they are named as followings: 1. Building Sites (Public Sector) 2. Building Sites (Private Sector) 3. Civil Engineering Sites 4. Renovation and Maintenance Works 5. Minor Renovation and Maintenance Works 6. Building Sites (Sub-contractors) 7. Civil Engineering Sites (Sub-contractors) 8. Renovation and Maintenance Works (Sub-contractors). Winners of the above eight sub-categories and the Safety Teams will receive awards whereas the Safe Workers will be presented with a certificate, badge and cash coupon. Entries for the Minor Renovation and Maintenance Works sub-category will be awarded a certificate of appreciation and cash coupons as encouragement if they have undergone the assessment and do not win any prizes in the competition.

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ii. Construction Safety Promotional Campaign

http://www.oshc.org.hk/download/promote/227/551/CSD%20promote%20brochure%202011(2).pdf

The construction industry plays a crucial role in the Hong Kong economic development. To enhancesafety awareness and reduce work injuries in the construction industry, the Occupational Safety andHealth Council continues to organize a large scale "Construction Safety Promotional Campaign 2011"with stakeholders in the industry this year.Major focuses will be on working at height, maintenance and renovation work, fall protection andproperty management. Different competitions will be organized to recognize companies, managementand workers with outstanding occupational safety and health performance. Competitions: 1. Best Fall Arresting Safety Enhancement Program for Working at Height 2. Short Video Competition on Site Safety Exercise and Safety Briefing 3. Best Refurbishment and Maintenance Contractor in Occupational Safety and Health 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.

Best Safe Working Cycle Site Competition on Safety Culture Best Property Management Company in Occupational Safety and Health Outstanding Scaffolder in Occupational Safety and Health Outstanding Lift Mechanic in Occupational Safety and Health (New)

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iii. Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme

Background and Categories of Award The Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme (the Scheme) has been organized jointly by Development Bureau and Construction Industry Council since 1995 so as to promote a considerate attitude and good site safety, health and environmental practices for both Public Works and non-Public Works sites. Commencing from 2011, the Scheme will be organized with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and a new category of award, the Model Workers Award, introduced in September 2010 for the 2010 Scheme,to recognize the efforts paid by the workers will also be incorporated into the 2011 Scheme. The categories of award for the 2011 Scheme are as follows: I. Considerate Contractors Site Award (Repair, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition (RMAA) Works); II. Considerate Contractors Site Award (New Works); and III. Outstanding Environmental Management and Performance Award (OEMPA). IV. Model Workers Award

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iv. Pay for Safety Scheme (PFSS)

This is one of the key initiatives of a Safety Partnering Programme (SPP) between The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong (REDA) and the Hong Kong Construction Association Limited (HKCA). The Scheme was first introduced by the then Works Bureau (now the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau or ETWB) of the Hong Kong Government. It was later adopted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), both after a trial period. To ensure that public funds are getting value for money, in supporting this initiative, ETWB and HA appointed the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) as its administrator in an Independent Safety Audit Scheme (ISAS) under which the Contractors safety management system and physical conditions on site are audited by an Accredited Safety Auditor (ASA) accredited by the OSHC. The Scheme is monitored by an Independent Management Committee comprising representatives from the two corporate Employers, relevant trade bodies, Labour Department, OSHC and two independent safety practitioners. The Council charges the two corporate Employers a fee for the services rendered.

v.

Safety Partnering Programme(SPP)

(http://www.safetypartnering.com/download/ProgrammeBrief.pdf)

It is a major initiative taken by the Hong Kong construction Association (HKCA) and the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong (REDA) to improve construction site safety and promote broad awareness of the importance of better safety standards throughout the construction industry. Members intended to take part in the Partnering Programme are required to implement safetymanagement system and practices in accordance with the guidance documents produced underthis Programme, namely, Contractual Provisions for the Pay for Safety Scheme, TheConstruction Site Safety Manual, The Construction Site Safety Handbook and APractical Guide to Construction Site Safety Management.

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Milestone Payment of Safety Partnering Programme (SPP) Safety performance under the Scheme is measured on a per contract basis. Participating companies entering into a construction contract will benchmark progress in safety performance from start to finish. The Contractors failure to implement or complete any of the prescribed safety items in the Schedule of Rates for Site Safety will result in non-payment of specified safety payments from the Progress Payment. It may also disqualify the Contractor from obtaining Milestone Payments (at the Employers voluntary adoption) for the annual targets set under the Programme that are assessed at twelve-month intervals during the construction period. As a means to drive better site safety performance, the Employer can commission an independent safety audit and follow-up audits where it has significant and legitimate concerns, with the cost being offset from the Contractors Progress Payments. In addition, the Employer can also reward the Contractor by authorizing Milestone Payments where the Contractor has met the Programme safety performance targets. The money for paying the Contractors excellent performance can come out from the Contingency item in the project budget. In Hong Kong, the MTR has maintained Milestone Payments for compliance to a Safety, Quality and Environmental site audits on the Penny's Bay Line and the Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Cable Car.

vi.

Leaflets & Posters

E.g. Safety Handbook for Construction Site Workers

(http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/D/ConstrutionSite.pdf)

It is intended to serve as a handy reference to frontline management teams in managing certain critical and accident-prone site safety issues. By drawing on past accident cases, good and bad trade practices, the Handbook aims to provide a basic framework for those who have direct influence over safety performance, with some useful pointers for continuous improvement. There is a Chinese translation of the Handbook available for use by frontline supervisors. 16

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vii. Training Course

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING CENTRE

(http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/pdf/TrainingTimetable/2011-P01-04.pdf)

The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre provides the following training courses for personnel in public and private sectors. Employers who wish to send their employees to attend the courses should apply for enrolment in a standard application form. The Programme Booklet with enclosed application form can be obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre or downloaded from this homepage (Acrobat Reader software is required). The training courses are provided free-of-charge. Relevant Safety Training Courses recognized by the Commissioner for Labour pursuant to Section 6BA(2) of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance . Mandatory Basic Safety Training Courses for persons employed at industrial undertakings carrying out construction work: 1. Education Organization The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The University of Hong Kong Private company: Gammon Construction Limited (Gammon Skanska Limited) The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited Government: Construction Industry Council (Construction Industry Training Authority) Occupational Safety and Health Council

2.

3.

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viii. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety. The use of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels. The personal protective equipment should be provided by the contractor to workers so as to protect them from high risk operation and environment in construction site.

Safety Helmet

Safety Shoe

Summary of all Safety measurements:

Measures Parties CISAS CSPC CCSAS PFSS SPP Leaflets & Posters Training Courses PPE

Government Developer Designer Main Contractor Sub-Contractor Worker Safety Officer & Supervisor

This table summarizes all the safety measurement that can be participated by different parties in order to reduce the percentage of accident rate in construction industry and established a safety culture in the industry.

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7. Conclusion
Ensuring safety at constructions sites requires the cooperation and combined effort of all stakeholders in the construction industry. It is therefore appropriate that the present approach under the current framework for regulating construction site safety in Hong Kong seeks to combine the enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations with other mechanisms such as promotion and education of best safety practices, inspections by the authorities and self-regulation by the stakeholders themselves. However, these mechanisms should go hand-in-hand with others that might be dictated so that the goal of minimizing construction site accidents can best be achieved. The authorities responsible for enforcing the law and regulations should deploy resources at least proportional to, if not greater than, the increasing responsibilities they have to meet. The CIC should see that the closest scrutiny is given to whether the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations offer a sound model for improving site safety in Hong Kong. New legislation if adopted could be coupled with a new safety points system on an industry-wide basis to reinforce safety-consciousness among contractors and their workers. The perilous nature of construction sites requires thorough and comprehensive safety management systems to address hazards and to prevent the terrible losses suffered by both the workers and their families. One construction accident is too many.

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8. Reference:
Websites
1. http://www.oshc.org.hk (Occupational Safety and Health Council) 2. http://www.mingpaotor.com (Ming Pao) 3. http://www.safety-yp.com (Safety-yp) 4. http://www.citysafety.hk (Citysafety) 5. http://www.labour.gov.hk/front.htm (Labour Department) 6. http://www.hkfemc.org (The Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and mechanical Contractors Limited) 7. http://www.craneblogger.com (Crane Blogger) 8. http://www.safetypartnering.com/smd/pfss.htm (Safety Partnering) 9. http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/sustainability/sustainrpt/2003rpt/env-breach-constr uction.htm (MTR) 10. http://www.hkia.net/UserFiles/Image/BLA/flyer.pdf (Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme) 11. http://www.smile-net.hk/hot_topics/20090324security.pdf (Milestone Payment in construction)

Books:
1. Tang, S.L., Poon, S.W.,Ahmed, S.M. and Wong, F.K.W. (2003). Modern Construction Project Management, Second Edition, Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong 2. Wong, F.K.W.(2003). Teaching Portfolio Safety Management, Construction Engineering Management II, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 3. Lecture Notes

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Appendix I - Industrial accidentrate in HK

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Statistics Bulletin Issue No. 10 (Sep. 10)

The number of industrial accidents in all industries in 2009 stood at 13 600, a decrease of 8.9 per cent over 2008.The high-risk construction industry still recorded the highest number of fatalities and accident rate among various industry sectors. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to note that the number of construction industrial accidents decreased from 3 033 to 2 755, down by 9.2 per cent, while the accident rate per 1 000 workers decreased from 61.4 to 54.6, down by 11.1 per cent as compared with 2008. When compared to 2000, the construction accidents in 2009 fell heftily by 76.9 per cent and the accident rate per 1000 workers also dropped by 63.6 per cent as well.

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In 2009, there were 2755 industrial accidents in the construction industry, lower than 3033 in 2008 by 9.2%, 11925 in 2000 by 76.9% and the average of the past five years (3156) by 12.7%. It was the lowest over the past 10 years.

In 2009, there were 2045 industrial accidents in the manufacturing industry, lower than 2467 in 2008 by 17.1%, 5436 in 2000 by 62.4% and the average of the past five years (2622) by 22.0%.

By comparing these two industries, the accidents in construction industry were more than that in manufacturing industry.

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In 2009 the number of industrial fatalities was 21, lower than 24 in 2008 by 12.5%, 43 in 2000 by 51.2% and the average of the past five years (25.0) by 16.0%.

In 2009, the number of industrial fatalities in the construction industry was 19, lower than 20 in 2008 by 5.0%, 29 in 2000 by 34.5% and the average of the past five years (19.8) by 4.0%.

Industrial accidents in US (Source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release)

`

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In 2009, there were about 4141 industrial accidents. And also, the accidents in construction were 251. According to the percentage of accidents, it is about only 6% out of the total accidents in all industries. On the other hand, the accident rate per 1000 workers in construction industry is 251/ 6700 x 1000 and equal to 37.5.

In 2009, the fatalities of US industries are 4340. The fatalities of construction industries in US are 816, which is only 19% out of total.

Industrial accidents in UK (Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction/injuries.htm)

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There were 42 fatal injuries to workers in Construction in 2009/10, of these fatalities 12 were to the self-employed. This compares with 52 fatalities in 2008/09, including 20 to the self-employed. The rate of fatal injury per 100 000 Construction workers decreased to 2.2 from 2.5 in 2008/09. In 2009/10, 28% of all fatal injuries were in Construction and it accounts for the greatest number of fatal injuries of the main industry groups.

There were 2 585 reported major injuries to employees in 2009/10p, compared to 3 307 in 2008/09. The corresponding rates of major injury per 100 000 employees were 230.0 in 2009/10p and 266.7 in 2008/09.

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Appendix II Safety Partnering Programme (SPP)
(http://www.safetypartnering.com/download/ProgrammeBrief.pdf)

It is a major initiative taken by the Hong Kong construction Association (HKCA) and the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong (REDA) to improve construction site safety and promote broad awareness of the importance of better safety standards throughout the construction industry. Members intended to take part in the Partnering Programme are required to implement safetymanagement system and practices in accordance with the guidance documents produced underthis Programme, namely, Contractual Provisions for the Pay for Safety Scheme, TheConstruction Site Safety Manual, The Construction Site Safety Handbook and APractical Guide to Construction Site Safety Management.

Contractual Provisions for the Pay for Safety Scheme

(http://www.safetypartnering.com/smd/index_pfss.htm)

It sets out the principal features of an Employers commitment to pay for safety-related items of expenditure through conditions in a construction contract. It embodies payment for implementing pre-set items in a schedule and incentive payment for achieving excellence. Employers and contractors under the Programme are expected to follow the provisions in this document to realize the Pay for Safety Scheme in a fair and equitable manner.

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Construction Site Safety Manual
(http://www.safetypartnering.com/smd/pdf/manual.pdf)

It provides a framework for managing site safety, with an analysis of the statutory provisions and contractual requirements relevant to managing safety from the perspectives of the Employer and his representative, the designer, the contractor and various professionals in the safety supply chain. The Manual attempts to relate the safety management responsibilities with the management structure of the Building Authoritys Site Safety Supervision Plan that is also applicable to private sector projects. Construction Site Safety Handbook
(http://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/os/D/ConstrutionSite.pdf)

It is intended to serve as a handy reference to frontline management teams in managing certain critical and accident-prone site safety issues. By drawing on past accident cases, good and bad trade practices, the Handbook aims to provide a basic framework for those who have direct influence over safety performance, with some useful pointers for continuous improvement. There is a Chinese translation of the Handbook available for use by frontline supervisors. A Practical Guide to Construction Site Safety Management
(http://www.safetypartnering.com/smd/index_practical_guide.htm)

It takes the safety management issues to the forefront. It is intended to help Employers or their representatives monitor the safety performance of their contractors, implement the concept of construction design and management (CDM) and protect the safety and health of the employees assigned to work on the contractors sites. It will also help to equip contractors and their management teams with the necessary skills to run an effective safety management system. 27