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| Environmental, Health and Safety Report 2003 / 04
Our Vision for Sustainable Housing | Message from the Chairman | Message from the Director | Summary | Feedback Form About this Report | Business Overview & EHS Management Structure | Significant EHS Aspects | 2003 / 04 Highlights | Performance Review | Targets and Initiatives for 2004 / 05 and Beyond | Verification Statement | Annexes |
Reducing Noise from Our Construction Sites Noise from construction and demolition activities can be a nuisance to residents and the community at large. We therefore have a clear responsibility to incorporate measures to ensure regulatory compliance and to take extra steps to minimize noise levels wherever practicable. Some of the measures that we have taken this year include the following. Hydraulic Pile Jacking We have piloted the use of hydraulic pile-jacking method by pressing piles into the ground by static self-weight to effectively minimize noise and vibration effects. This piling method will also extend operating hours and will greatly enhance productivity. Hydraulic Concrete Crushers [Photo: Hydraulic concrete crusher used in the Lam Tin pilot project.] Our trials of using hydraulic concrete crushers in place of traditional concrete breakers have found that this equipment generates negligible noise and emits less dust. Offsite Prefabrication We will continue to use prefabricated building elements such as precast façades and staircases to avoid and reduce noise otherwise associated with construction and maintenance activities. Study on Self-Compacting Concrete Preliminary results of this study undertaken in partnership with the Hong Kong City University, indicate that most private sector construction practices agree that using Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) would lead to environmental benefits although its current use is mainly decided on cost and technical considerations. After completion of this study in 2004 / 05 we shall prepare specifications and guidelines to facilitate the use of SCC in our projects where beneficial. Guarding against Noise in Estates [Photo: Noise reduction design for pump rooms.] This year saw the near completion of our yearly programme to replace all 3 000 rpm water pumps with quieter 1 500 rpm models. During the year 2003 / 04 we replaced 35 such pumps, taking the total number of replacements up to 145 since 2000 / 01. [Photo: Traffic noise barrier at a housing estate.] By adopting the "no-dig" technology for underground drainage restore works, we not only minimize air pollution, but we also minimize noise nuisance to residents where works are performed without road surface excavation. In compliance with acoustic control guidelines, we have continued to take measures to protect our housing estate residents from building equipment noise and traffic noise. Noise Complaints and Abatement Notices In 2003 / 04, we received 24 noise complaints against our construction sites during the year. This continues the improving trend of previous years. For our commercial premises, we received two noise abatement notices at two shopping centres from the Environmental Protection Department during the year. This also represents a continued trend of improvement from previous years.
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