No Violations In Hung Hom Construction: MTR

Conflicting accounts of the construction scandal engulfing the MTR’s Hung Hom station emerged on Friday even as the railway released a report saying that works there were all done in “strict accordance” with requirements.

The MTR Corporation concluded that it had fulfilled all requirements in how it monitored the project, and accepted written confirmation from its main contractor, Leighton, that the construction fully complies with the terms set out in the contract.

At the same time, the report outlined contradictions between Leighton’s account of construction problems, and that of its two subcontractors, China Technology and Fang Sheung.

The report said workers from bar-bending subcontractor Fang Sheung said they were ordered by Leighton to cut threaded steel bars when they had difficulty screwing them into couplers in the wall. On other occasions – also at Leighton’s request – they said the bars were cut, and then screwed into the couplers “with the understanding that rectification measures would be carried out by Leighton.”

Representatives from Leighton who were interviewed by the MTR this week, however, said they had “no direct knowledge of threaded steel bars being cut and/or screwed into couplers on site.”

For its part, the MTR said its inspectors found on five occasions between August and December 2015, that the ends of some steel bars used to secure a large platform were cut off, in an apparent effort to make it appear like they were properly screwed in to couplers. However, it repeated assurances that all these problems have since been fixed.

The report details how Leighton launched an investigation into the problem in January this year after one of its sub-contractors, China Technology, alerted it to alleged ‘malpractice.’

The probe, lead by Leighton’s head of engineering, concluded that “the construction and checking process had been carried out in accordance with the approved method statement and the inspection and test plan.”

Based on this report, the MTR Corporation said it also concluded that “the issue had been dealt with.”

However, an MTR source said that a staff member from China Technology directly contradicted assurances given to the rail firm by Leighton.

The source refused to give any details of the allegations made, saying that it has received legal advice not to publicise this information. That said, it has forwarded the details to the government, and says a government-appointed Commission of Inquiry is better positioned to deal with the matter.

The report did say that Leighton has strenuously denied the allegations, and the MTR has not seen any evidence which substantiates the claims.

The chairman of the MTR Corporation, Fred Ma, told reporters before the report was released that he’s “very concerned about the incident, and have instructed the corporation’s management to carefully inspect the entire Shatin to Central Link project to see if there’s any other violation.”

“We will not tolerate any violation or shelter any fault”, he added.” There’s no question that safety and construction quality must always be ensured.”

Ma also said it’s evident that there is room for improvement in the firm’s reporting mechanism, and has instructed management to make improvements as soon as possible.

When asked how the company will follow up on the issue, MTR sources said the railway has done its job, and the Commission of Inquiry will have more power to investigate the incident than the MTR itself.

Experts have warned that cutting off the ends of steel bars could weaken the structure and put it at risk of collapse. The railway has engaged an independent expert to conduct loading tests on the affected platform to ensure that it's safe.

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