Crunch culture and tight timelines blamed for 15 construction site deaths this year
Construction sector representatives have blamed the industry’s crunch culture for the 15 fatal worksite accidents recorded in Hong Kong since the beginning of this year. Speaking on RTHK radio, Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union chair Chau Sze-kit said that aloof attitudes toward occupational safety stem from a pervasive culture of rushing work at […]
In Hong Kong, construction industry representatives have attributed 15 fatal worksite accidents this year to a culture of rushing work and tight deadlines. Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union chair Chau Sze-kit stated that the pressure to meet deadlines often leads workers to prioritize convenience over safety precautions.
He further explained that the industry's habit of awarding contracts to the cheapest bidder often sacrifices safety for speed, and subcontractors, lacking bargaining power, are left shouldering the risks. Lawrence Ng, chair of the Construction Workers Registration Board, noted that worksite bosses are under constant pressure to complete more work in less time due to delays caused by extreme weather.
A recent survey by the Construction Industry Council revealed that 5 to 7 percent of frontline managers and workers exhibit "extremely weak" safety awareness. Despite the issuance of harsher penalties in April 2023, worksite fatalities have continued to rise. Construction Industry Council chair Thomas Ho attributed the increase to the industry's failure to genuinely enforce safety measures.
Ho emphasized that even a safety supervisor among the 15 fatalities died due to the industry's lip service to safety. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn reported a 20 percent decrease in workplace accidents between 2023 and 2025, thanks to the implementation of the "4S" Smart Site Safety System. This system uses smart devices and communication networks to identify potential safety hazards promptly.
The Development Bureau requires large construction contracts to adopt the Smart Site Safety System, which is based on the Design for Safety (DfS) international standard. DfS involves identifying and reducing health and safety risks through adequate design during the planning phases and throughout the project lifecycle. Research cited in a 2025 LegCo document suggests that over 60 percent of work accidents in Hong Kong could be traced back to design stage inadequacies.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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