9 tickets, 110 warnings issued after construction site smoking ban takes effect

Hong Kong authorities have issued nine fixed-penalty tickets and 110 warnings to contractors since launching a citywide construction site smoking ban last Friday, according to the labour commissioner.

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said on Monday that authorities had inspected more than 200 construction sites since the ban took effect, adding that officers would issue improvement notices, as well as written and verbal warnings, to contractors who fell short in enforcing the ban.

“The industry’s practical guidelines are useful, but having those measures in place does not exempt contractors from responsibility. They must be able to implement them effectively and with impact,” Hui said.

The ban was introduced following a fatal fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last November that killed 168 people and was suspected to have been caused by workers smoking during renovation works.

Under the amended law, anyone caught smoking at a construction site faces a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (US$380), while contractors can be fined up to HK$400,000 if they fail to ensure their sites are smoke-free.

So far, authorities had issued nine fixed-penalty tickets to workers, along with 110 warnings and four improvement notices to contractors, Hui said.

He added that officers might issue verbal or written warnings where a contractor’s anti-smoking measures are poorly implemented, and improvement notices where arrangements require more systematic changes.