The Code of Conduct entitled “Handling Suspended Working Platform Works” issued by the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) pursuant to Section 5(1) of the Property Management Services Ordinance (Cap. 626) will be gazetted within this month. The PMSA has also prepared the respective Best Practice Guide to provide practical guidance for the property management industry on handling suspended working platform works.
The “Handling Suspended Working Platform Works” Code of Conduct covers the following aspects:
- PMC carrying out suspended working platform work by itself;
- PMC arranging for suspended working platform work;
- PMC handling suspended working platform work carried out by individual flat owner;
- Monitoring suspended working platform work;
- Issuing notice;
- Follow-up work after completion of suspended working platform work; and
- Keeping records.
The PMSA Chairperson Tony TSE said, “Property management companies (PMCs) and practitioners (PMPs) need to use suspended working platforms to manage facilities and carry out maintenance works from time to time. Having consulted various stakeholders, the PMSA formulated the related Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guide in order to ensure and improve occupational safety of suspended working platform works carried out by the industry. The PMSA appeals to PMCs and PMPs to comply with the guidelines stipulated in the Code and Guide to prevent accidents from occurring.”
The PMSA formulated the Code of Conduct and its respective Best Practice Guide in consultation with Government departments and agencies including the Development Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Labour Department and the Construction Industry Council. The feedback collected from the consultation has been appropriately reflected in the Code and Guide.
In response to the new edition of “Protection of Personal Data Privacy – Guidance for Property Management Sector” issued recently by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong (PCPD), the PMSA has reviewed the “Protection of Personal Data” Code of Conduct and its respective Best Practice Guide issued in October 2021. Having consulted the PCPD, the PMSA issued today the revised edition of the “Protection of Personal Data” Best Practice Guide (the “Protection of Personal Data” Code of Conduct needs no updating). The Guide covers the following aspects:
- Personal data protection principles;
- Collection of personal data;
- Accuracy and retention period of personal data;
- Use and disclosure of personal data;
- Security of personal data;
- Handling requests of access and correction of personal data;
- Outsourcing the processing of personal data to data processors;
- Installation and use of Closed Circuit Television; and
- Use of personal data for direct marketing.
The above Codes of Conduct and Best Practice Guides can be downloaded from the following PMSA webpage: https://www.pmsa.org.hk/en/regulatory/codes-of-conduct
Since the implementation of the PM industry licensing regime, the PMSA has already issued a total of 13 Codes of Conduct and their relevant Best Practice Guides, including “General Code of Conduct”, “Complaint Handling Mechanism of Property Management Companies”, “Effective Control over Property Management Business by Property Management Companies”, “Handling Moneys Received on behalf of Clients by Property Management Companies”, “Obligations of Property Management Companies regarding the Ending of their Appointment”, “Prevention of Corruption”, “Prescribed Conditions on Licences”, “Protection on Personal Data”, “Handling Payment for or Arranging Payment to be Made by Clients”, “Provision of Prescribed Information and Financial Documents to Clients” , “Carrying out Procurement for Clients and Prevention of Bid-rigging”, “Handling Emergencies” and “Handling Scaffolding Works”.
The PMSA will continue to issue other Codes of Conduct and Best Practice Guides timely, covering different PM areas in order to provide guidance to the industry, including but not limited to the following:
- Prevention of Corruption – Financial Management and Staff Recruitment and Management;
- Monitoring Outsourced Property Management Services;
- Mechanism for Distribution of Promotional Materials at Property by Property Management Companies; and
- Handling Instrument of Appointing a Proxy.
Ends/Friday, 14 October 2022
Issued at HKT 18:30
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