Over 90 per cent of the explosives in Hong Kong are used in civil
engineering works. The Hong Kong Government controls all explosives
and delivers on a daily basis to each site which it has licensed. Such
deliveries need to be arranged the day before actual delivery. With the
vagaries of the traffic in Hong Kong, contractors do not necessarily know
the time of arrival of explosives. Contractors in general would like to
reduce their exposure to these potential delays and the high cost of
explosives deliveries. The high population density and urbanisation means that rock blasting
has to be carried out in close proximity to other property. In order to
protect life, property and utilities, it is not only necessary to employ
proper blasting techniques but also to adopt effective safety measures. The Route 3 Advance Earthworks project is located on the north-west
corner of Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. It is one of the Airport Core
Programme projects for the new Chek Lap Kok Airport. Secured by
Leighton Contractors (Asia) Ltd in early-1992, the work commenced in
May of the same year, with completion and handover to the Hong Kong
Government in May 1995.