Nine construction associations in Hong Kong have signed a commitment to enforce a complete smoking ban on construction sites following the city’s deadliest fire since 1948.
According to public broadcaster RTHK, the Hong Kong Contractors Association (HKCA) announced today that it, along with eight other groups, signed the document aimed at strengthening safety in the sector.
The HKCA emphasized that the commitment includes “full implementation of the smoking ban across all construction sites.”
Lawrence Ng San-wa, president of one of the nine groups, the Hong Kong Subcontractors Association, said he hopes this “public commitment” will boost “public confidence” in the sector.
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The associations also pledged to follow government policies and regulations, including fire prevention and other safety measures on construction sites.
This announcement comes a day after the government proposed fines of up to HK$400,000 (approx. €44,000) for contractors who fail to enforce the smoking ban.
The fire, which started on November 26, killed 168 people and destroyed seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk public housing complex, which housed over 4,600 residents. Photo: Dale De La Rey/AFP
The Labor Department’s draft proposal also states that construction workers may face fines of HK$3,000 (approx. €330) for smoking on site.
In cases of catastrophic fire risk—such as smoking near highly flammable materials—workers could face fines of HK$150,000 (approx. €16,500) and up to six months in prison. Contractors could face fines of HK$3 million (approx. €330,500) and the same prison sentence.
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The proposal clarifies that the smoking ban applies to all areas of construction sites, both indoors and outdoors. The Legislative Council’s Human Resources Committee is set to begin reviewing the proposal on Monday.
The fire, which started on November 26, killed 168 people and destroyed seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk public housing complex, which housed over 4,600 residents.
An independent investigation commission began hearings on Thursday regarding the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948, hearing testimony pointing to failures that allowed the fire to spread.
According to initial observations, the flames started on a platform in a lightwell between two apartments, with cigarette butts found on site and on scaffolding.
Victor Dawes, the commission’s lead lawyer, cited factors contributing to the disaster: fire alarms and hose systems being turned off, non-fire-resistant scaffolding nets, and window coverings made of foam boards.
“On the day of the fire, nearly all fire safety systems meant to protect lives failed due to human factors,” he lamented.
The commission, led by a judge and established in December, will also examine systemic issues, such as tender manipulation, in large-scale building maintenance and renovation projects.
Hong Kong police have arrested 22 people on suspicion of voluntary manslaughter and six others for suspected fraud, all linked to the Wang Fuk fire.
The city’s anti-corruption agency has also detained 23 more people, including consultants, contractors, and members of the Wang Fuk residents’ association.
