Construction Safety Week 2024 promotes site safety (with photos)
Construction Safety Week (CSW) 2024, co-organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), commenced today (August 26) and will run until August 30. Under the theme of "Safety for All, 4S Stands Tall", various events will be held including the CSW conference, visits to construction sites and the award presentation ceremony of the 30th Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that to promote full adoption of the Smart Site Safety System (4S) in the industry, the Government, in addition to leading by example in public works contracts, introduced a series of enhanced measures this year with a view to promoting the adoption of the 4S in private development projects, including:
(1) The Buildings Department has introduced a mandatory measure since July 1, 2024. When granting the first approval or major revisions of superstructure plans of private development projects, conditions are imposed under the Buildings Ordinance to require registered contractors to adopt the relevant 4S for building works with estimated cost exceeding $30 million and involving the use of mobile plants and tower cranes.
(2) The DEVB and the CIC launched the 4S Labelling Scheme and have been issuing labels to work sites with proper adoption of the 4S to facilitate identification and monitoring. Nearly 150 construction sites have been issued with labels and a total of 500 construction sites are expected to be issued with labels within this year.
(3) The scope of subsidy under the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) has been extended since May 20, 2024 to cover the relevant additional expenses in various aspects of adopting the 4S, including upgrading the network capacity, additional manpower to be employed for system operation, maintenance and technical support, arising from the use of the 4S.
(4) An enhanced measure will be launched this week to extend the applicant eligibility of the CITF to local mobile plant / tower crane rental companies. According to information of the industry, there are more than 10 000 such facilities in Hong Kong, of which over 70 per cent are rented by various contractors from rental companies. Therefore, subsidising rental companies to install the 4S in the first place can save time and facilitate the adoption of the 4S at related facilities on construction sites.
Noting that all members of the project teams have their respective roles and responsibilities in safeguarding site safety, Ms Linn called on all industry stakeholders to proactively fulfil their safety responsibilities and make concerted efforts to enhance site safety for the sustainable development of the construction industry.
The Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho, appealed to the construction sector to adopt the 4S at construction sites. He also stressed that all industry stakeholders should fulfil their responsibilities in ensuring site safety and play their role in providing a safe working environment.
The CSW Conference commenced right after the kick-off ceremony. Experts and project teams shared with the audience their experience in adopting the 4S and enhancing site safety. An exhibition on the 4S was also held at the venue.
CSW, launched in 2012, aims to promote a zero-accident site environment and a caring environment in the construction industry. The campaign has received support from various sectors of the community including professional groups, organisations, trade associations and labour unions. Details of this year's CSW are available at www.safetyweek.hk.
