Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding workers worry their traditional method will disappear
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used by workers to construct, repair and maintain buildings. In Hong Kong, it is traditionally made of bamboo not metal
Difficulty: Challenger (Level 3)
Ho 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.
Quiz time
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What does Ho Ping-tak do?
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How many registered scaffolders are there in Hong Kong?
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What is the “traditional method” that Ho Ping-tak is scared will disappear?
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How long does it take for bamboo scaffolding on a 30-floor building to be taken down?
Suggested answers
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He sets up and pulls down bamboo scaffolding at construction sites.
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around 10,000
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scaffolding made of bamboo
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around a week