Safety matters: Buildings Department Chief Officer (Site Monitoring) Chan Cho-chak displays a bamboo scaffolding model with a bamboo strut and a 6mm steel bar.

The Buildings Department has published guidelines on the design, construction and use of the bamboo scaffolds, to enhance their safety in construction sites and existing buildings.

The department said today the guidelines were a useful reference for scaffolders and building contractors for good practices on the design, erection, maintenance, inspection and dismantling of bamboo scaffolds.

Property management companies, building owners and occupants, and business operators could also refer to the guidelines for a better understanding of the safety requirements when commissioning a bamboo scaffold for new building works and existing building repair, alteration and renovation works.

They provide general technical details for the key elements of bamboo scaffolds.

The department urged scaffolders to take heed of  the guidelines to ensure bamboo scaffolds are securely fixed onto a building, and minimise the likelihood of collapse.

While regular inspections and proper maintenance of bamboo scaffolds are essential, they should be carried out more frequently when the tropical cyclone or strong monsoon signals are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory and during periods of strong wind. 

In addition, the scaffolds should be removed after the works are completed, as any failure of scaffolds could cause injury or economic loss.

The department also noted the guidelines supplemented the existing code of practice the Labour Department issued in 2001, which focused on the workers' safety when erecting and using bamboo scaffolds.

The guidelines can be viewed on the Buildings Department's website and a new TV announcement has been made to alert the public of the importance of bamboo scaffold safety.