HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s major construction groups have issued a set of general guidelines on enforcing a total smoking ban at construction sites, which takes effect on Friday (July 17).
The guidelines include prohibiting workers from bringing cigarettes or fire sources into designated areas, and enhancing inspections.
Representatives of the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA) and eight major industrial groups released the Best Practice Guideline on Prohibition of Smoking in Construction Sites at a news conference on Thursday.
Under the guidelines, construction workers must deposit their cigarettes and lighters at designated areas when entering worksites, while security personnel will enforce the rule at entrance checkpoints, with violators risking immediate removal from the premises.
Clear smoke-free policy statements must be displayed across worksites, and the designated boundaries of nonsmoking zones must be thoroughly explained to all workers during preemployment safety inductions.
Contractors are strongly encouraged to deploy smart site technologies, including closed-circuit television and intelligent monitoring systems, to enhance inspection.
The guidelines also say that contractors need to regularly incorporate smoking-cessation awareness content into gatherings and meetings, ensuring the continuity of the promotion efforts rather than just one-time reminders.
"We hope these guidelines will foster a culture of smoke-free construction sites, mitigate fire hazards, protect workers’ collective safety, and elevate both the safety standards and professional image of Hong Kong’s construction sector,” HKCA President Simon Liu Sing-pang said.
HKCA Vice-President Stephen Lee said that to ensure the ethnic-minority workers are fully informed, multilingual signs will be strategically placed across sites.
Industry leaders welcomed the clarity of the guidelines. “There will be no gray areas,” said Lawrence Ng, permanent honorary president of the Hong Kong Construction Sub-Contractors Association.
He also said that both employers and employees must fulfill their respective duties, urging the implementation of a fair violation-handling mechanism.
The guidelines came out a day after the Legislative Council endorsed an amendment to the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, which includes a comprehensive ban on smoking at construction sites.
Anyone found smoking at construction sites will face a fixed fine of HK$3,000 ($383), and contractors will be fined up to HK$400,000 if they fail to take reasonable measures to ensure their sites are smoke-free.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Wednesday that the amendment will clearly stipulate the responsibilities of contractors, which will help reduce the risk of fire caused by smoking at construction sites. - China Daily/ANN
