Training and safety

In the past, the skills required for erecting bamboo scaffolding were taught by a master scaffolder through a traditional apprentice system that would last for 3 years. However, apprentices can now pick up the skill within a year through on-job training or by attending a Construction Industry Training Authority training course.

After working in industry for at least 4 years, a scaffolder can take the CITA trade test, which consists of a 0.5 h written examination followed by a 6 h practical test in which the candidate is required to:

Ø inspect an erected scaffold and rectify the defects;

Ø dismantle the scaffold safely;

Ø reerect the scaffold.

In 2006, 268 candidates applied for the test and 62% passed. Apart from the extent ofworkcompleted and quality of workmanship, candidates are also assessed on their safety-consciousness.

All scaffolders in Hong Kong are required to wear safety harnesses, fall arrestors and independent lifelines. Scaffolds must also be inspected by a competent person — a CITA trade test holder with at least 10 years’ experience — every 2 weeks and more often during tropical cyclones and strong monsoons. The main contractor’s full-time supervisor should also inspect the integrity of the scaffolds regularly and record findings in stipulated forms.

Despite the training and skill of Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolders and the government’s associated code and guidelines, serious accidents continue to occur, mostly in truss-out bamboo scaffolds. The overall accident rate in Hong Kong’s construction industry in the past few years is around 60 for every 1000 workers. A total of 3835 accident cases were recorded in 2004, 3548 in 2005 and 3129 (projected) in 2006. The numbers of fatal accidents during these years are 17, 25 and 17 respectively. Repair and maintenance projects account for the majority of the accidents. Nearly half of the fatal accidents are grouped under “fall of person from height” involving truss-out bamboo scaffolds, unfenced edges, ladders and so on.

Many of the accidents in truss-out bamboo scaffolds have resulted from failures of the support bracket anchor bolts. The difficulty in fixing the anchor bolts from inside the building is cited as a major cause. Inadequacy of secure fixtures of lifelines to anchorage points has also been noted in many cases. Industry, institutions and government departments are working together in addressing the problem.