Hong Kong Regulations

CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 38P

Openings, corners, breaks and edges

Caution: This is a past version. See the current version here.

(1) The contractor responsible for a construction site shall ensure that every
opening, corner, break, edge or other dangerous place through or from which
any person on the site is liable to fall a distance of more than 2 metres is
provided with either-

   (a)  a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength to a height
        of between 900 millimetres and 1150 millimetres above the surface
        across which persons are liable to pass so erected as to prevent as
        far as possible the fall of persons; or

   (b)  a covering so constructed as to prevent the fall of persons, materials
        and articles; any such covering shall be clearly and boldly marked to
        show its purpose or be securely fixed in position.

(2) Such guard-rails and coverings may be removed or remain unerected-

   (a)  where this is necessary in order to proceed with any permanent filling
        in, covering or enclosure; or

   (b)  for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons or
        the movement of materials or other purposes of the work.

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any opening, corner, break or
edge created in the course of demolition operations to which the
Building (Demolition Works) Regulations ( Cap 123 sub. leg.) apply, or to any
opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of any other demolition
operation, if in the course of such last mentioned demolition operation, the
opening, corner, break or edge is not left unattended.