Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man yesterday underlined the Macau government’s requirements for scaffolding mesh at all construction sites and building renovation projects in the city to be fire-retardant.
Tam made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s charity event “Walk for a Million”.
Tam noted that in May this year, an interdepartmental working group, consisting of public entities such as the Lands and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU), the Public Works Bureau (DSOP), the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), and the Fire Services Bureau (CB), already drew up a set of new guidelines on construction site safety, including mandatory requirements for scaffolding nets to be made of fire-retardant materials.
Currently, Tam said, scaffolding nets used at construction sites of all public projects must be issued with a certificate proving their fire-resistant capability, and constructors must carry out tests to confirm the nets’ fire-resistant capability.
Moreover, Tam said that from now on, the new guidelines on construction site safety will be formally listed in government-issued construction permits for all projects, both public and private.
The policy secretary also underlined that the interdepartmental working group will continue to strengthen inspections of construction sites and building renovation projects with scaffolding in place across the city.
In addition to ensuring the use of fire-retardant scaffolding mesh, Tam said, the government will continue to ensure that constructors always implement appropriate safety measures for hazardous operations such as welding.
Tam also said that he recently had a meeting with representatives of six major associations representing the city’s construction sector, urging the industry to strictly observe site-safety regulations, adding that he received “positive” responses from the representatives on the matter.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man speaks to reporters on the Nape waterfront on the sidelines of yesterday’s charity event “Walk for a Million”. – Photo: GCS
