The Government has laid down guidelines on demolition work to try to improve safety.
The guidelines will require contractors to submit a list of subcontractors for approval.
Deputy Director of Buildings Cheng Wai-dart told the provisional legislature's subcommittee studying the Building (Amendment) Regulations that subcontractors carrying out demolition work should have three years' experience and possess skills in plant operation.
Critics said the list proposal was impractical considering the size of the industry and the long waiting time for approval.
Ip Kwok-him, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, urged the Government to ask contractors to submit lists only when it was about to approve a permit.
But Mr Cheng said there would be no time for a proper examination if names were given at the last minute.