The first batch of 110 public and private construction sites participating in the Smart Site Safety System Labelling Scheme (4S Labelling Scheme) has passed the assessment and were issued label plaques today (July 29) to indicate the proper adoption of 4S – Smart Site Safety System – at their respective construction sites.
The 4S Labelling Scheme was launched by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) in May 2024 to issue labels to construction sites after on-site inspections and assessments of the proper adoption of 4S, with a view to driving a wider adoption of 4S in the construction industry and providing a safer working environment for site personnel through identifying such construction sites.
Speaking at the Presentation Ceremony of Plaques for the 4S Labelling Scheme, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, noted that 4S could issue timely alerts to relevant site personnel to effectively prevent serious accidents, while facilitating efficient management of construction progress. He encouraged the construction industry to continue to support 4S, earnestly participate in the 4S Labelling Scheme, utilise innovative technologies, and promote smart site safety construction, with a view to ensuring site safety and promoting sustainable development of the construction industry.
The Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho, called for early adoption of 4S on construction sites. He said that site management should visit construction sites to ensure 4S is effectively adopted.
The 110 public and private works construction sites with labels issued today involve different works types and scales, and have also adopted 4S covering various advance technologies and devices. The 4S Labelling Scheme has received applications from more than 350 construction sites in the first two months since its launch, and the assessment is being conducted progressively.
The plaques will be placed at conspicuous spots around construction sites, with 4S labels for identification and ease of monitoring, including facilitating enforcement departments to monitor the sites without 4S labels. The list of such construction sites is available at the CIC's website (www.cic.hk/4s-labelling/en/project-list) for public inspection.
The Government has been adopting a multipronged approach to promote the wide adoption of 4S in the construction industry. Apart from the 4S Labelling Scheme, the DEVB has required capital works contracts exceeding $30 million to fully adopt 4S. The Buildings Department has introduced mandatory measures since July 1. Conditions will be imposed under the Buildings Ordinance requiring the adoption of 4S to provide qualified supervision of building works when granting the first approval, or approval of major revisions of superstructure plans, of private development projects. For building works with an estimated cost exceeding $30 million and involving the use of mobile plants and tower cranes, registered contractors are required to adopt relevant 4S alert systems. The Government also subsidises private works projects to adopt 4S through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund, and has launched respective packages of 4S products with the CIC for various types and scales of private works projects.
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