Construction and Demolition

Noise from general construction work between 7 pm and 7 am, and on
public holidays, is controlled through a Construction Noise Permit system.
The permits restrict the use of equipment in accordance with stringent
criteria and ban noisy manual activities in built-up areas. Percussive piling
work is prohibited during the restricted hours and requires a permit even
during daytime. Noisy piling machines may operate up to three hours a
day in urban areas but quieter ones can work up to 12 hours. In 1997,
some 2 700 permits were issued. There were 370 convictions for work
without permits or violating permit conditions. Legislation to phase out the
use of noisy percussive hammers (including diesel, steam and pneumatic
hammers) in built-up areas was enacted in May 1997 for implementation
early in 1998.

Hand-held percussive breakers and air compressors for construction
activities are required to comply with stringent noise emission standards
and to obtain a 'green' noise emission label in order to phase out old and
noisy equipment. In 1997, about 1 600 labels were issued and there were
five prosecutions for operating these products without a label. Over 90
per cent of the labels are issued to newly imported, quiet models.

Hong Kong has strict controls on the use and handling of asbestos. The
Air Pollution Control Ordinance bans the import and sale of the more
potentially dangerous types of asbestos, namely amosite and crocidolite,
from May 1996. It also provides for the control of activities that might
lead to asbestos dust emissions. From June 1997, anyone intending to
undertake asbestos removal must engage registered asbestos consultants,
contractors, supervisors and laboratories, and must submit investigation
reports and asbestos abatement plans to the EPD, before starting work.
The department also carries out regular inspections to ensure materials
containing asbestos are handled and disposed of properly.

The many urban development projects have generated a vast quantity of
dredged marine mud, 11.5 million cubic metres in 1997, that is unsuitable
for reclamation and other uses. It is dumped at sea in specified spoil
grounds. The EPD controls dumping under the Dumping at Sea
Ordinance. The department also follows the international requirements of
the London Convention on marine dumping. Marine dumping of surplus
excavated material and other construction wastes is not permitted unless
there is no other environmentally feasible disposal option and the marine
dumping of the waste has no undue adverse impact.

Because of the serious impacts of illegal dumping on the marine
environment, the EPD maintains strict control over dumping operations.
Only a vessel equipped with an automatic self-monitoring device can be
listed in a marine dumping permit. This device tracks all marine dumping
operations by recording the position and draught of the vessel, so that the
authorities can trace any illegal dumping in a cost-effective manner.
Moreover, the department's inspectors operate frequent patrols. Offenders
are subject to prosecution, and repeat offenders may face having their
permits revoked or applications for new ones refused.

[Back] [Forward]