http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/spec...rkers-20130621

Published June 21, 2013

New HDB ruling on renovation workers

Only certified workers allowed to carry out demolition work from 2014

By malminderjit singh


[SINGAPORE] Renovation contractors will be required to hire only certified workers to carry out demolition or hacking works in HDB flats from Jan 1, 2014.

The HDB announced this mandatory requirement yesterday.

It also said that it is collaborating with the BCA Academy to customise a demolition course for renovation workers.

Under existing guidelines, HDB flat owners are required to engage contractors registered with the HDB for any renovation work and they must also obtain HDB's approval before the work begins, particularly if it involves demolition or hacking.

This is to ensure that any proposed demolition work will not affect the structural integrity of the building and compromise public safety.

Under the new guidelines issued yesterday, though, registered contractors should submit the particulars of two certified workers in their online applications to HDB if there is renovation activity that involves hacking or demolition works.

HDB yesterday said in a statement that this will ensure that trained workers will be able to recognise the danger of hacking structural walls and mitigate the risk of such incidents. HDB added that the new course would help to raise the professionalism of the renovation industry as a whole.

The first run of the course began yesterday. It is conducted weekly by the BCA Academy at a cost of $195 (excluding GST) per participant.

Course participants who pass the required assessments in both the theory and practical aspects will be awarded a Certificate of Successful Completion in Demolition Works for Renovation Contractors issued by the BCA Academy.

Every year, HDB receives close to 60,000 renovation applications, including applications which involve demolition work.

With the large number of renovations taking place, coupled with the high-rise nature of HDB flats, it is important that these guidelines are strictly adhered to. Unauthorised demolition could lead to serious consequences, HDB warned, as it quoted two examples of unauthorised demolition work - in flats in Bedok and Bishan - that led to the removal of important structural walls, endangering the residents and their neighbours.

The renovation contractors in both cases were taken to task with the contractor in the Bedok case having its registration terminated and debarred for five years from re-registering.

As for the new rule, HDB said that appropriate action will be taken against registered renovation contractors if the workers are found to be uncertified.