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Hong Kong construction industry calls for safety-by-design after rising fatalities
Industry leaders cited 15 fatal accidents earlier this year and said many incidents stem from rushing culture and poor site habits, even after penalties were increased.
Hong Kong industry leaders urged the city to build safety design into all building development plans, after the construction sector recorded 15 fatal industrial accidents earlier this year. Speaking after warnings that the number of accidents is rising despite stiffer penalties, Construction Industry Council chairman Thomas Ho On-sing said a safety culture has not fully taken root.
Ho said 70% to 80% of accidents on worksites are linked to bad habits and poor mindsets, and he attributed all 15 fatal accidents to pressure to finish projects quickly. He described the push to complete work as among the deadliest factors on construction sites, according to SCMP Economy.
Chau Sze-kit, chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, said safety awareness has improved but has not become second nature in a sector still shaped by a “rushing culture.” He pointed to recent media footage of workers on exterior scaffolding without safety belts or properly attached to independent lifeline ropes, arguing this showed safety measures were not consistently implemented.
Chau said the issue is not only with workers but also depends on management supervision, adding that providing safety tools and improving design at the start of projects can help minimize risks, SCMP Economy reported.