Editorial | Snuffing out smoking on Hong Kong construction sites will boost safety
Regardless of whether a link is found between workers smoking and the Tai Po fire, the push to ban lighting up at construction sites is long overdue
Residents of the Tai Po estate had long complained about smoking among site workers. There is no question that it poses heightened fire and health risks, even outdoors.
Some major developers already prohibit smoking among workers on their sites as a condition of continued employment. Such a measure, if diligently enforced, is likely to be more effective than the process currently involved in banning smoking on sites.
The law needs to catch up – fast. Thankfully, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han has promised to move quickly to impose a blanket ban, which may include on-the-spot fixed penalty tickets for offenders like those already issued for lighting up in designated no-smoking areas, such as indoor public spaces.
To accelerate the introduction of a comprehensive ban, Sun says the government is considering amending subsidiary legislation rather than the main ordinance – a move that could see it take effect in about two months.
Under current laws, the commissioner for labour can only prohibit smoking at a specific construction site after collecting evidence and determining a substantial fire risk – a process Sun described as “troublesome” and reactive. He said the government was responding to strong calls for a blanket ban.