Carrots and sticks set in smart site system push

The government is rolling out three measures to promote its Smart Site Safety System.

The rollout comes as the first batch of around 100 construction sites is expected to be awarded a badge in July for using the system, according to Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho.

Linn said in her blog that some 500 construction sites are expected to apply for the badge in the initial stage and that all approval work will be completed by the end of this year.

The system, launched last year, consists of activity-monitoring devices, an on-site communication network for data collection, and a centralized management platform.

The government has made it mandatory for all public work projects worth over HK$30 million to fully adopt the system, while private construction sites are encouraged to use it and can receive up to a HK$7.5 million subsidy.

"However, usage of the system among private sites has been low," Linn admitted.

The first measure is the Smart Site Safety System Labeling Scheme, jointly launched by the Development Bureau and Construction Industry Council a week ago.

This scheme will allow construction sites using the system to receive labels for identification and government monitoring.

The labels will be prominently displayed, and the government will enhance daily inspections on sites without labels to encourage more sites to adopt the system.

And the authorities will expand the funding scope for private construction sites to include other expenses for applying the system, such as information technology support, staff training, and procurement support.

The Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council will also launch product packages for the system to provide more information, allowing construction sites to choose suitable devices.

Also, the Buildings Department will introduce a mandatory measure starting in July that requires construction works worth over HK$30 million to adopt alert systems for mobile plants and tower cranes if such devices are used on sites, in order to remind workers of accident risks .