Construction Safety Week 2024 promotes safety on construction sites

The Construction Safety Week (CSW) 2024, jointly organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), began today (26 August) and will run until 30 August. Under the theme “Safety for All, 4S Standing Tall”, various events will be held including the CSW Conference, construction site visits and the award ceremony of the 30th Considerate Contractors Site Award Scheme.

Speaking at the launch event, Development Minister Bernadette Linn said that to encourage the full adoption of the Smart Site Safety System (4S) in the industry, the Government is not only leading by example in public works contracts, but has also introduced a number of enhanced measures this year to encourage the adoption of the 4S in private development projects. These include:

(1) The Building Authority has introduced a mandatory measure from 1 July 2024. When granting initial approval or major revisions to superstructure plans for private development projects, conditions are imposed under the Building Regulations requiring registered contractors to comply with the relevant 4S for construction work with an estimated cost exceeding US$30 million and involving the use of mobile equipment and tower cranes.

(2) DEVB and CIC have implemented the 4S labelling system and have provided labels to construction sites that properly implement the 4S requirements to facilitate identification and monitoring. Nearly 150 construction sites have been provided with labels, and a total of 500 construction sites are expected to be provided with labels during this year.

(3) The scope of support under the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) has been extended since 20 May 2024 to cover the corresponding additional costs incurred in various aspects of the implementation of the 4S, including the upgrading of network capacity and the additional personnel to be deployed for system operation, maintenance and technical support resulting from the use of the 4S.

(4) An enhanced measure will be introduced this week to extend the eligibility for CITF to local mobile equipment/tower crane rental companies. According to industry information, there are more than 10,000 such equipment in Hong Kong, of which over 70 percent are rented from rental companies by various contractors. Therefore, subsidising rental companies can save time in installing the 4S and facilitate the introduction of the 4S in relevant equipment at construction sites.

Ms. Linn noted that all members of the project teams have their respective roles and responsibilities in ensuring safety on the construction site and called on all industry stakeholders to proactively assume their safety responsibilities and make concerted efforts to improve construction site safety for the sustainable development of the construction industry.

CIC Chairman Mr. Thomas Ho called on the construction industry to implement 4S on construction sites. He also stressed that all industry stakeholders should shoulder their responsibility for safety on construction sites and do their part to ensure a safe working environment.

The CSW Conference started immediately after the opening ceremony. Experts and project teams shared their experiences in implementing the 4S and improving construction site safety with the audience. An exhibition on the 4S was also held at the venue.

Launched in 2012, the CSW aims to promote an accident-free construction site environment and a caring environment in the construction industry. The campaign is supported by various sectors of society, including professional bodies, organizations, trade associations and trade unions. For details of this year’s CSW, please visit www.safetyweek.hk.

Construction Safety Week 2024 promotes safety on construction sites. Source: Press releases from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Construction Safety Week 2024 promotes safety on construction sites. Source: Press releases from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Construction Safety Week 2024 promotes safety on construction sites. Source: Press releases from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

The Primary Care Committee holds its first meeting today

Following the official establishment of the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) on July 15, Primary Healthcare Commissioner Dr Pang Fei-chau chaired the first meeting of the Primary Healthcare Committee (PHC Committee) today (August 26) and discussed the future work priorities of the PHC Commission with members.

At the meeting, committee members discussed the governance structure of the PHC Commission, including the establishment of working groups to promote effective development of primary health care in the area of ​​coordination and monitoring of primary health services and to strengthen the work of District Health Centres (DHCs).

The DHCs coordinate primary health services in the community, assume the role of case manager and link health professionals in the public and private sectors to build a network of services for the community. Committee members at the meeting discussed ways to further expand the community health care network by attracting more health professionals from different disciplines to primary health services to provide more comprehensive and quality assured primary health care to citizens.

The Committee members were also briefed on the progress of the Chronic Disease Co-Care pilot programme. They were happy to learn that the pilot programme has so far enrolled nearly 60,000 participants and that the PHC Commission is promoting to the DHCs to attract more citizens to the pilot programme through various statewide and district-level channels.

Established on July 15, the PHC Committee is responsible for advising the PHC Commission from various perspectives and assisting it to effectively carry out its duties and powers. The committee consists of ex officio members and non-official members. The latter include people from various professional backgrounds, including professionals from family medicine, Chinese medicine, dentistry and other professions. The membership list is as follows:

Chairman

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Commissioner for Primary Health Care

Non-official members

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Dr David Chao Vai-kiong

Dr. Kam Pok-man

Dr. Lam Ching-choi

Dr. Lam Wing-wo

Mr Lawrence Lee Kam-hung

Professor Gabriel Matthew Leung

Dr Sigmund Leung Sai-man

Ms Ellen Li Ka-yan

Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung

Dr Alexander Ng Man-tat

Professor Marco Pang Yiu-chung

Professor Agnes Tiwari Fung-yee

Dr. Tse Sut-yee

Professor Ian Wong Chi-kei

Professor Samuel Wong Yeung-shan

Ex officio members

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Deputy Minister of Health (or representative)

Deputy Director of Health (or representative)

Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs/Deputy Director of Social Affairs (or representative)

Deputy Minister of the Interior and Youth (or representative)

Deputy Director of the Ministry of the Interior (or representative)

Director (Strategy and Planning), Hospital Authority (or representative)

Chief physician (nursing), hospital management (or representative)

The Primary Health Care Committee holds its first meeting today. Source: Press releases from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

The Primary Health Care Committee holds its first meeting today. Source: Press releases from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government