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Fiona Sun

Hong Kong’s construction sector has rolled out a unified blueprint to enforce a strict, site-wide smoking ban taking effect on Friday, a major safety overhaul triggered by the deadly Tai Po fire last year.
The guidelines, released by the Hong Kong Construction Association along with eight other industry groups on Thursday, are aimed at creating a unified and clear framework to ensure that different types of work abide by the same set of principles under the new smoking ban at sites.
“The release of the guidelines marks the industry’s commitment to turning the smoking ban at construction sites into a concrete implementation,” said Simon Liu Sing-pang, president of the association.
The ban follows the fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate that killed 168 people last November and which was suspected to have been caused by workers smoking while carrying out renovations.
Under the legal amendments, anyone caught smoking at a construction site faces a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (US$383) for individual breaches, while contractors face a fine of up to HK$400,000 if they fail to ensure their sites are smoke-free.

The guidelines call for establishing policies that clearly state lighters and smoking products requiring ignition are not allowed on sites, define the area covered by the ban and specify additional penalties for violations such as demerit points, with the details displayed on-site.
The roles of personnel at all levels in enforcing the ban should be specified, including assigning designated site management staff to supervise workers and require anyone lighting up to stop smoking or leave the site, according to the guidelines.
The guidelines also recommend rewards for workers who quit the habit and regular smoking-cessation talks.
“The purpose of the guidelines is to provide the industry with a clear and practical reference, helping sites of various scales and types implement smoking prohibition arrangements based on their actual environments, promoting a smoke-free construction site culture, reducing fire risks, protecting workers’ health, and elevating the safety standards and professional image of the industry,” Liu added.
Stephen Lee Ka-lun, vice-president of the association, said the guidelines served as a framework while individual contractors could make adjustments based on factors such as types of work and the environment.
“Our practical guidelines serve as a basic framework and a minimum requirement,” he said.
The guidelines suggest that details of smoking-ban areas and requirements be clearly explained to workers and that training be conducted.
Regular inspections should be carried out and comprehensive records kept, while contractors could impose heavier penalties on violators and formulate their own mechanisms and criteria to enhance deterrence, according to the guidelines.
Lawrence Ng San-wa, permanent honorary president of the Hong Kong Construction Sub-contractors Association, said the guidelines could help address concerns in the sector over the ban.
“Our association fully supports the smoking ban,” Ng said. “The benefit of the guidelines is clearly outlining how our various stakeholders can promote and implement this work. This provides everyone with greater clarity, leaving no room for grey areas.”


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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong builders issue smoking ban blueprint ahead of Friday adoption

No smoking signs at a construction site in Diamond Hill. Under the new law, anyone caught smoking at a construction site faces a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 for individual breaches. Photo: Jelly Tse

A construction site in Choi Hung. The guidelines also recommend rewards for workers who quit the habit and regular smoking-cessation talks. Photo: Jelly Tse

The ban follows the fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate that killed 168 people last November and which investigators suspect was caused by workers smoking while carrying out renovations. Photo: Dickson Lee

‘All reasonable steps’ for site smoking ban include CCTV, cigarette storage points

Contractors are also urged to display no-smoking signs on site. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Currently, smoking in an outdoor area of a construction site is only illegal if it occurs near flammable materials. Photo: Jelly Tse

Labour chief Chris Sun has defended a tougher site smoking ban, saying liability hinges on preventive measures. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Hong Kong

Society

Guidelines call for companies to clearly state prohibited items, construction area covered by ban and any additional penalties for violations


Guidelines call for companies to clearly state prohibited items, construction area covered by ban and any additional penalties for violations.


Smoking and vaping

Hong Kong builders issue smoking ban blueprint ahead of Friday adoption

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Guidelines call for companies to clearly state prohibited items, construction area covered by ban and any additional penalties for violations

Guidelines call for companies to clearly state prohibited items, construction area covered by ban and any additional penalties for violations