The wages of scaffolding workers in Hong Kong are likely to increase as plastic meshes that have passed a new mandatory fire safety test are expected to be installed at more than 200 buildings from next month, according to a construction industry representative.
But another construction industry leader said the price of scaffolding nets would not rise significantly due to collective bulk procurement.
The remarks on Friday followed the government’s announcement a day before of tighter testing requirements for scaffolding nets in the wake of the deadly fire in Tai Po.
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Under the rules, contractors must prove that the scaffolding mesh being used is fire-retardant, with samples to be tested in designated laboratories upon arrival in the city.
The mesh could only be installed after all the samples had passed lab tests, after the government had ordered scaffold netting to be removed at about 200 locations across Hong Kong in three days.
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Substandard scaffolding mesh and foam boards were believed to have accelerated the spread of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, claiming at least 160 lives, which was under renovation at the time.