Hong Kong issues 84 smoking fines at 7,300 construction sites since ban
Hong Kong's labour chief said the government issued 84 fixed-penalty notices for smoking at 7,300 construction-site inspections from July to October. Most checks were unannounced, and 28 fines came from public complaints with photo or video evidence.
Hong Kong's Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Sun Yuk-kwong, said the government has issued 84 fixed-penalty notices for smoking violations and five summonses against contractors involving four cases since a territory-wide smoking ban at construction sites took effect on 17 July. The figures cover the period up to the end of October, during which the Labour Department inspected 7,300 sites.
Speaking at an event on 10 November, Sun said some of the 7,300 inspections were triggered by public complaints, but the majority were unannounced spot checks by the Labour Department. Of the 84 fixed-penalty notices, 28 were based on public complaints, most of which were accompanied by photographs or video footage.
Sun also noted that earlier this year the government updated the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms, expressing hope that its implementation would prevent related accidents. In addition, amendments to the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety and the Code of Practice for Metal Scaffolding Safety were published in the Gazette at the end of July.
The main revisions to the scaffolding codes cover strength and fire-resistance requirements for base boards, fire-resistance standards for protective sheeting, and design and installation specifications for sloping scaffolding, providing contractors with clear, enforceable practical guidance.
