Hong Kong construction sector launches trial scheme to monitor workers’ compliance with safety measures in bid to reduce accidents

A trial scheme has been launched by Hong Kong’s construction sector at approximately 100 sites to monitor workers’ compliance with safety measures in response to a rise in industrial accidents. The mechanism will not impact employees’ livelihoods, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The Hong Kong Construction Association, representing 300 companies, initiated the points-based pilot scheme on April 2 to track workers at participating sites for potential safety rule violations.

The construction sector has been prepared to monitor workers’ safety performance in light of the increasing number of industrial accidents in Hong Kong.

In the first three quarters of last year, there were 2,333 recorded accidents, marking a 1.5% rise from the same period in 2022.

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For the two-month trial, the sector has identified 15 safety rules considered less controversial to monitor the behavior of frontline workers and management. Workers will receive three or five points based on the severity of their actions.

For example, workers not wearing safety helmets will receive three points, while those operating machinery without proper licenses and approvals will get five points.

Employees with 10 points or more can participate in a voluntary half-day safety course with a deduction of three points.

Those accumulating 15 points or more must attend a one-day class with six points deducted.

Workers can also lose one or two points by actively engaging in safety courses or improving workplace safety.

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Insiders assure that workers will not risk losing their jobs for violating the measures. The goal is to enhance safety awareness among workers without jeopardizing their livelihoods, according to a source.

The association will not disclose the records, which will be kept for future analysis, as per sources.

Contractors can organize safety classes independently or utilize courses provided by external companies, with the scores becoming void after a year of breaching a safety rule.

Suggestions will be submitted by the association to the Construction Industry Council for a citywide marking scheme expected to launch later this year.

Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing, also the chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions, expressed concerns regarding the quality of safety courses.

He emphasized the need for employers to promptly arrange courses for rule violators, ideally allowing staff to attend the class during working hours.

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Faye Siu Sin-man, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, highlighted the importance of understanding the root causes of unsafe work practices.

She stressed the necessity for a mechanism that allows workers to appeal for fairness and for employers to provide tailored safety courses addressing specific unsafe practices.