Safety of Repair, Maintenance, Minor Alteration and Addition Rmaa Works ─ A New Focus of Construction Safety

Safety of RMAA works is an almost uncharted topic of rising importance internationally. Small construction contractors are particularly dependant on RMAA work, especially during times of recession, and they undertake more risks on these jobs than large companies do. This book is based on unique international research and consultancy projects which detail, investigate, and suggest solutions to the specific challenges of safety in RMAA works, based on case studies.

Starting with an overview of safety in the wider construction industries of developed countries, the first half of this book also provides a comprehensive summary of relevant rules, regulations, and the resulting safety performances. The systems in the UK, US and Hong Kong are described and contrasted, giving the reader an understanding of how different regulatory approaches have yielded a variety of results. From this solid introduction, specific problems observed in RMAA work are examined through case studies, with reference to the underlying cultural and demographic factors, and a variety of practical engineering and management solutions are explored.

This important and practical international work is essential reading for postgraduate students of health and safety in construction, construction project management, or construction in developing countries, as well as policy-makers and construction project managers.

Albert P.C. Chan is an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Professor in the Department of Building and Real Estate of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is a Chartered Builder, Engineer, Project Manager and Surveyor by profession. Prof. Chan has been commissioned by a number of organizations to provide consultancy services in project management and construction economics. Some of the major clients include: Occupational Safety and Health Council, Department of Labour and Industry of the South Australian Government, Department of Building and Construction of City University in Hong Kong, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited. He has published over 600 research papers in research monographs, book chapters, academic journals, and conference proceedings. Prof. Chan is an Adjunct Professor of the Queensland University of Technology, the University of South Australia and Bond University in Australia; and the Huaqiao University of the PRC.

Carol K.H. Hon is currently a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She was a visiting scholar in the Rinker School of Building Construction, The University of Florida in 2010. Her doctoral study has won several prizes and scholarships, including Champion- Construction Industry Council (CIC) Award (Doctoral Group) of the "Student Project Competition (SPC) 2011" organized by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) – Safety Specialist Committee (SSC), OSH Best Project Award for the Academic Year 2011 and OSH Research Scholarship for the Academic Year 2009 both organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Council of Hong Kong. Arising from her doctoral study, she has published several research papers in academic journals and conference proceedings in the field of safety/construction.