Construction Safety Awards 2026: Hong Kong Steps Up Workplace Safety Measures
Hong Kong's labour chief announced enhanced construction safety measures at the inaugural Construction Safety Excellence Awards 2026, including updated scaffolding guidelines, site smoking bans, and increased use of drones and remote-controlled machinery. The event drew 800 applications across nine
Hong Kong's Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Chris Sun, on Friday (October 9, 2026) officiated at the inaugural Construction Safety Excellence Awards 2026 sharing session and presentation ceremony, jointly organised by the Labour Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Council. The revamped awards attracted 800 applications competing across nine categories, reflecting the industry's strong commitment to workplace safety.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Sun highlighted the government's multi-pronged approach to improving occupational safety and health (OSH) performance. The Labour Department has this year updated the guidelines on the safe use of mobile elevating work platforms, and in late July gazetted new safety guidelines for bamboo and metal scaffolding works. These revisions include strengthened requirements for scaffold base board material strength, fire resistance, flame-retardant protective curtain standards, and inclined screen design and installation specifications.
The government has also been strictly enforcing the territory-wide ban on smoking at construction sites. Workers found smoking on site face a HK$3,000 fixed penalty. Dr Sun urged both employers and employees to comply with the regulations, noting that more smoking cessation services are now available for workers who wish to quit.
Technology adoption in the industry was a key focus of the address. Dr Sun praised the successful second edition of the OSH Innovation and Technology Expo, which showcased many creative local inventions. The Labour Department is updating guidelines to facilitate the adoption of remote-controlled tower cranes and excavator systems, which can reduce the need for workers to climb tall structures and make the industry more attractive to younger people.
The Labour Department has also deployed small drones for site inspections. These unmanned aerial vehicles, equipped with high-resolution cameras, enable surprise inspections of hard-to-reach areas and have proven highly effective in detecting safety violations. Dr Sun warned workers not to assume that remote locations are unmonitored, as the drones can capture clear evidence of non-compliance.
Concluding his address, Dr Sun called for continued collaboration among the government, industry, employers, employees and families to maintain high safety standards. He emphasised that workplace safety is not just a personal responsibility but a commitment to families and society as a whole.
