19.12.2024

Hong Kong mandates secondary guarding

Hong Kong has implemented a requirement that all aerial work platforms working on public works construction sites in the state be fitted with a form of secondary guarding.
It has been implemented following several incidents, the most recent on November 22nd.

The order dated November 29th takes effect immediately on all tenders for all new projects, while safety officers on previously approved projects are told that they should incorporate the requirement as an amendment to the contract. While those working on live construction or maintenance projects are instructed to ask that devices be retrofitted to any machines not already equipped with a secondary guarding device by the end of the year.

The full text of the notice is published below:

Construction Site Safety Manual

Secondary Guarding Device for Mobile Elevating Work Platform

The spate of incidents, especially the fatal ones, which involved the use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms on construction sites resulting in entrapment of workers by obstacles nearby has called for the need of mandating the installation of Secondary Guarding Devices to Mobile Elevating Work Platforms the form of physical barriers or smart devices to mitigate the entrapment hazard relating to their use. Particular Specification (PS) clauses to require Elevating work platforms on public works sites to have Secondary Guarding Devices installed is enclosed at Annex A.

Effect on Public Works Contracts

2. The PS clauses at Annex A shall be incorporated in all new public works contracts (including capital works contracts and maintenance contracts) with tenders to be invited on or after 29 November 2024.

For new public works contracts tendered before 29 November 2024, project officers should also incorporate the PS clauses at Annex A into the tender documents by way of tender addendum as far as practicable.

For existing public works contracts where Work Platforms have not been installed with secondary guarding or the like, contract administrators should instruct contractors to install them on all outstanding work platforms following the requirements in the PS clauses at Annex A in the shortest possible time, and no later than 23rd of December 2024.

3. The PS clauses at Annex A will be incorporated into the Construction Site Safety Manual in its next updating exercise.

4. Please bring this memo to the attention of the project officers who are responsible for the preparation of tenders for public works contracts and the project officers, consultants and resident site staff supervising public works contracts.

Enquiries

5. Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to Mr LEE Man-yiu, Assistant Secretary (Works Policies 5) 5 at 3509 8305.

To download the entire document including Annex A – with the ‘Particular Specification’ click on the following link.
https://www.devb.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_191/Covering%20memo%20(web.pdf)

You can also find the document in the Safety Bulletin section of the Vertikal Library.

What's avaialble

A wide range of anti-entrapment devices are available, both bult in and easily retrofittable, from both aerial lift manufacturers and independent suppliers. They range from simple mechanical frames alongside the control box to radar type proximity sensors, some of which can be installed in 10 to 15 minutes.

Earlier this year IPAF published an excellent guide to the various options available to reduce the risk of entrapment injuries, which can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on: - Guidance on secondary guarding devices.