Hong Kong’s traditional bamboo scaffolding is under threat as metal alternatives gain favour. Photo: Elson LiHo Ping-tak brimmed with pride as he remembered the many landmarks he had worked on, including the International Commerce Centre and the new Kai Tak Stadium.
“I have put in a lot of blood and sweat,” said the 50-year-old scaffolder. He is the chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union (Tung-king).
Hong Kong has around 10,000 registered scaffolders who swiftly set up and pull down sturdy bamboo at construction sites, using techniques passed down several generations.
The city’s Development Bureau has announced that metal scaffolding must be used in half of new public building construction sites. People in favour of the move said metal was more fire-resistant.
However, Ho said safety problems happen because of work schedules and not enough official inspections. He added that metal scaffolding becomes unbearable in hot weather.
Arguing in favour of bamboo scaffolding, he said: “It is Hong Kong’s pride … Why can’t the government see that?”
In addition, taking down metal scaffolding built around a 30-floor building could take up to a month – compared to just a week for bamboo.