Some workers seek to quit smoking as ban on Hong Kong construction sites kicks in
In the wake of deadly Tai Po fire, believed to have been triggered by smoking, most construction firms support new rule and move to help workers quit
Some Hong Kong workers have said they intend to quit smoking as a new ban on smoking at construction sites came into force on Friday.
The ban came in the wake of the deadly fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court housing estate, a disaster that killed 168 people last November and was suspected to have been caused by workers smoking while carrying out renovations.
Under the legal amendments, an individual caught smoking at a construction site faces a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (US$380) for individual breaches, while contractors face a fine of up to HK$400,000 if they fail to ensure their sites are smoke-free.
The Labour Department conducted spot checks on 58 construction sites on Friday and issued one fixed penalty ticket.
Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said inspectors had also advised various contractors responsible for the sites on how to make improvements.
Hui said the department’s enforcement actions were aimed not only at curbing on-site smoking but were also part of ongoing efforts to ensure occupational safety and strengthen fire safety measures at construction sites.