Hong Kong's Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum told lawmakers that a proposed ban on smoking at construction sites will cover all areas without designated smoking zones due to enforcement challenges. The measure follows the deadly Tai Po fire last November. Authorities plan to use drones with heat sensors for inspections.
Hong Kong labour authorities on Monday presented a proposal to the Legislative Council's manpower panel for a comprehensive smoking ban at all construction sites. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said the new rules would replace existing restrictions limited to specific locations.
Mr Hui explained that designated smoking areas were ruled out to avoid creating "operational grey areas" for inspectors and due to enforcement difficulties. "We believe that setting up smoking areas at construction sites would actually complicate everyone's work," he said.
The proposal comes in the wake of the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last November, which killed 168 people. An evidential hearing earlier this month indicated the blaze was "most likely" caused by someone lighting a cigarette that ignited flammable materials stacked in a lightwell.
Authorities also pledged to deploy drones equipped with heat sensors to bolster inspections at sites.