Quality housing: Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Thomas Chan (centre) officates at the Quality Public Housing Construction & Maintenance Awards 2006 prize presentation ceremony.

There has been a noticeable drop in the overall accident rate on Housing Authority sites. In 2005, there were 21 cases per 1,000 workers, less than half the 55.8 in 2001. 

A record low of 2.1 cases per 1,000 workers was registered in the Kwai Chung Estate Phase 5 project.

Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Thomas Chan gave these remarks at the Quality Public Housing Construction & Maintenance Awards 2006 prize presentation ceremony today.

He said the authority has adopted measures to boost site safety and protect workers' rights. These included contract requirements for hard-paved construction to be widely adopted and measures to ensure timely wage payments.

Earlier this year, the authority launched the Total Maintenance Scheme, which undertakes to complete inspection in all public housing flats in five years' time.

Its three-pronged approach encompasses problem identification, prompt response as well as education and promotion. So far, the scheme has been implemented in 14 estates.

An independent survey conducted in four estates now under the scheme confirmed its success. Over 80% of respondents said they were satisfied with it.

Mr Chan said the results were encouraging, and vowed to continue the partnership with the industry in advancing public housing's maintenance quality.

The Quality Public Housing Construction & Maintenance Awards 2006 marks the fourth year of the scheme in recognition of the outstanding achievements of the authority's business partners.

Receiving the awards were 42 contractors, five outstanding building projects, six Total Maintenance Scheme Projects, 15 best site safety record projects, seven outstanding Housing Department project teams, 10 supervisors and 20 workers.