55 blocks in Hong Kong cant meet deadline to take down scaffolding nets
Contractors were racing to tear down scaffolding nets used for renovations at estates to meet Saturday’s government deadline imposed in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire, but companies handling work at 55 blocks admitted they would need more time. An industry representative estimated that work at all sites across the city would only…
Contractors were racing to tear down scaffolding nets used for renovations at estates to meet Saturday’s government deadline imposed in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire, but companies handling work at 55 blocks admitted they would need more time.
An industry representative estimated that work at all sites across the city would only be completed by early next week, given the lengthy processes and a limited number of trained workers in the city.
The development authority announced the removal order for all construction sites in Hong Kong on Wednesday, following a police investigation into a Shandong province-based manufacturer that allegedly falsified safety certificates for scaffolding netting used for at least two residential sites.
The government said as of 3pm on Saturday, netting at 175 private buildings had been taken down, while the removal work was still under way at another 52 blocks, which was expected to be completed within one or two days.
Authorities also approved three applications for additional time for mesh removal involving three buildings, with the relevant contractors saying they would seek to complete the work by next week.
“Most of the scaffolding companies, or supervisors we spoke to, told us they are not able to complete the tearing down today or tomorrow,” said Ho Ping-tak, chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union.
