Hong Kong to enforce smart safety systems on sites

Hong Kong announced plans to enforce advanced safety technology across all construction sites to eliminate workplace accidents. The city’s Secretary for Development, Bernadette Linn, unveiled a robust initiative during the opening of Construction Safety Week, detailing strides made in recent years. Accident rates have fallen by roughly 20% between 2023 and 2025, largely due to the widespread adoption of Hong Kong’s Smart Site Safety System (4S), now installed at about 80% of local construction sites, with 60% earning the official 4S label.

However, Linn emphasized that the goal is to make 4S the standard for every construction site, providing frontline workers with a safer environment.

The government updated its technical guidelines to include three new categories of 4S devices, aimed at addressing high-risk processes. The safety drive extends beyond hardware, focusing on three key pillars: smart technology, a culture of mutual care, and accountability at every level. Workers are encouraged to invest in worker welfare, mentorship, and family-centred safety campaigns.

Construction Industry Council chairman Thomas Ho echoed the progress but highlighted that the industry has recorded 15 fatal accidents this year, matching last year’s total. Ho stressed the ongoing "rush" culture on sites and urged stakeholders to reassess risks before proceeding with high-risk tasks.

Ho cited a CIC survey showing that 14% of frontline workers and 6% of foremen do not conduct dynamic risk assessments. He stressed the importance of active supervision as a fundamental safeguard and called on management teams to strengthen on-site leadership and cultivate safer working habits, emphasizing that safety improvements depend on mindset and culture as much as on technology.