Here are the answers to some of the more frequently asked questions relating to construction and maintenance safety for the Housing Authority in Hong Kong.
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1. What is the HA policy on sub-contracting?
The HA has restrictions on sub-contracting in new works contracts (as stipulated in Special Conditions of Contract). Contractors must ensure, and are responsible for, compliance with the limitation on the number of tiers of sub-contracting. Contractors must also ensure that all their sub-contractors also comply with these limitations. On all new works contracts, including demolition, piling, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, building and associated building services nominated sub-contracts, contractors are prohibited from the following activities:
Ground investigation, footbridge bearings, play equipment, water supply, above-ground drainage, off-site prefabrication of steel reinforcing bars, road run-in, footpath repair, drainage works and water supply connection works outside site boundary, footing, piling and site formation works must be executed by listed subcontractors. In case of works involving confined space or site formation works, the works is limited to the first tier of sub-contracting. All works other than confined space and site formation works is restricted to a maximum of two tiers* of sub-contractors for works, and the subcontractors must be registered under Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme administered by Construction Industry Council or relevant list mentioned in the specification. In the case of building services nominated sub-contracts, no more than two tiers of sub-contracting are permitted. In the case of demolition contracts, the first tier sub-contractor must be registered on the Housing Authority List of Demolition Contractors and the Buildings Department List of Registered Specialist Contractors (Demolition Works). The second tier sub-contractor shall be registered on the Housing Authority List of Demolition Contractors or the Buildings Department List of Registered Specialist Contractors (Demolition Works). In the case of asbestos removal, contractors must be included in the Register of Asbestos Contractors kept by Environmental Protection Department. Air monitoring tests are to be executed by independent asbestos laboratory registered under Air Pollution Control Ordinance. * Notes
2. What is the Silver Card Scheme?
The Silver Card Scheme is an accreditation system for workers of specific high risk trades who have satisfactorily completed advanced training courses on safety—geared to those specific high risk trade practices including:
3. What is meant by ‘Pay for Safety’?
The amount of ‘Pay for Safety’ in new works contracts is calculated on a sliding scale with reference to the amount of the contract sum and a split ratio of 60:40 pertaining to safety and environment/hygiene aspects, respectively. The ‘Pay for Safety’ scheme covers the following: A. Resources
B. Management
C. Key Performance Indicators
D. Awareness & Promotion
E. Safety Innovations
4. Why has ‘Pay for Safety’ been extended to cover NSCs?
The ‘Pay for Safety’ scheme in HA new works building contracts has been extended to cover nominated subcontracts (NSCs) to help enhance site safety practices, promote site safety awareness, and provide an incentive to contractors who demonstrate good safety performance. The scheme has covered NSCs including electrical, fire service and water pump, lift and escalator, and air conditioning and mechanical ventilation with sub-contract sum not less than $2M since 2006. The threshold was raised from $2M to $3M in 2021.
5. What are the high-risk items specified under the Housing Authority Safety Auditing System (HASAS)?
A detailed checklist of high-risk activities, introduced under the 2018 HASAS (can be downloaded here) 6. What is a ‘Critical Pass Alert’?
The ‘Critical Pass’ system was introduced Housing Authority Safety Auditing System (HASAS) for HA new works contracts in 2009 and stipulates minimum safety standards that contractors must meet when engaging in specified hazardous work scenarios. Critical Passes apply to: job hazard analysis, and high-risk sections including working at height, housekeeping, protection against falling objects, lifting, electrical supply system, tower crane and mobile crane operation. For all new and on-going contracts, if contractors fail to meet any Critical Pass in one quarter, this will trigger a Critical Pass Alert to the respective Contract Manager. Failure to obtain any Critical Pass on a contract in two or more items of Critical Pass in a quarter or failure in any one item of Critical Pass in two or more consecutive quarters will also trigger an alert to the respective Contractors Review Committee for review of concerned contractor’s safety performance and the Contract Manager shall issue a warning letter to the contractor. 7. What is the difference between safety audits and safety assessments under PASS?
For new works contracts, safety audits have to be conducted by appointed independent auditors every three months, under the management of the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC). The scope of such audits includes both safety management systems as well as physical implementation. The audit concludes with a performance score which is linked to the Department’s ‘Pay for Safety’ Scheme (Integrated Pay for Safety, Environment and Hygiene Scheme) and the regulatory system of tendering. To provide an effective and objective means of monitoring and benchmarking contractors’ performance in various aspects of site safety aside from safety audits, several site safety assessments have been implemented—under Performance Assessment Scoring System (PASS). These include: Building Performance Assessment Scoring System Building (Building PASS), Maintenance Assessment Scoring System (MASS), Building Services Performance Assessment Scoring System (BSPASS), Piling Performance Assessment Scoring System (Piling PASS), Demolition Performance Assessment Scoring System (Demolition PASS), Soft Landscape Performance Assessment Scoring System (SL Pass), Ground Investigation Performance Assessment Scoring System (GI PASS) and Laboratory Assessment Scoring System (LASS). There is also Property Services Performance Assessment System (PSPAS) for HA List of property services agents. After selecting suitable contractors or service providers for HA works contracts, their performance is monitored under the PASS framework to generate data that can be analysed and used to more effectively manage both HA contractors and service providers. Using this data, tender opportunities are allocated to commensurate with the performance and ability of respective contractors and service providers. All PASS assessments provide an objective basis to assess and monitor performance in areas ranging from project management, quality to safety. The PASS systems have proven highly effective in motivating our business partners to climb the learning curve and enhance their overall work quality—especially with regard to site safety. 8. What is the Safe Working Cycle?
Safe Working Cycle (SWC) recognises the importance of frontline leaders ranging from project managers to gangers, who—via their leadership and communication—can effectively convey safety measures to frontline staff. The SWC involves site personnel following a series of practical steps on daily, weekly and monthly cycles aimed at instilling habitual safety checks and raising safety awareness.
9. What is 5S Housekeeping?
5S refers to a set of techniques providing a standard approach to housekeeping. It originated from Japan and the elements of 5S are all Japanese words beginning with the letter S. The system is founded upon the principle of promoting cleanliness and tidiness in the working environment to help enhance productivity. Cultivating the habit of maintaining a clean, tidy and well-organised workplace among employees also helps enhance the safety and healthiness of the working environment. The 5 Ss are:
10. What is SSIP?
Surprise Safety Inspection Programme (SSIP) aims to raise vigilance and further enhance safety management through surprise site visits by independent Safety Inspectors, which is separated from surveillance safety audits under HASAS. SSI is conducted strictly WITHOUT prior notice to all parties. SSI would focus on high risk activities of sites to match the physical “Critical Pass” items in Part B of HASAS Version 1.7 or pertinent version, namely – |