Construction firms agree smoking ban needed, but baulk at HK$400,000 fine
Industry groups back government’s proposed ban on smoking at construction sites, but say contractors that follow guidelines on complying should be exempt
Hong Kong’s construction sector has raised concerns about fines as high as HK$400,000 (US$51,070) for contractors that fail to prevent smoking at building sites under a proposed ban, urging the government to exempt companies that have already complied with the industry’s guidelines.
Contractors could face fines of up to HK$400,000 (US$51,070) for violations under the government proposal to improve safety following the deadly Tai Po fire last November.
Workers could face a HK$3,000 fine for violations, according to the proposal outlined in a paper released by the Labour Bureau on Monday.
Nine major industry organisations said on Tuesday they would draft guidelines for members on how to enforce the planned ban as they signed a charter on efficiency and safety.
They included the Hong Kong Construction Association, Hong Kong Construction Industry Registered Specialist Trade Union Federation and Hong Kong Registered Contractors Association.
Luk Wai-hung, executive director of the Hong Kong Construction Association, said the groups would first evaluate the effectiveness of existing anti-smoking measures, such as requiring workers to leave cigarettes outside the site and posting notices, before setting out the guidelines.