HONG KONG — The adoption of smart technology to improve construction site safety in Hong Kong has led to a 20 percent drop in the construction industry’s accident rate from 2023 to 2025, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Monday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Construction Safety Week 2026, Linn said the adoption of the Smart Site Safety System (4S), which enables the early detection of potential safety hazards, is pivotal to improving construction site safety.

"Even a single accident is one too many for construction safety, so our goal is to make 4S the standard configuration for all construction sites in Hong Kong, providing frontline workers with a safer working environment," Linn said.

The Development Bureau required 4S adoption for project contracts exceeding HK$30 million ($3.82 million) starting in February 2023. Currently, approximately 80 percent of Hong Kong construction sites have installed 4S equipment.

Linn called for the regulatory framework to keep pace with technological advances. Last month, the Development Bureau updated its technical circular on 4S, adding three new device categories for public works to better cover high-risk operations across a wider range of work processes.

The bureau is also striving to progressively promote the 4S across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area through pilot projects in Qianhai.

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While acknowledging that innovative technology is a powerful tool for enhancing site safety, Linn stressed that building a "human-centered" safety culture ultimately hinges on people.

"Every frontline worker is a valuable asset to the construction industry. We have a responsibility to create a safer working environment for them, care for them and their families, and ensure that every colleague can work with peace of mind and return home safely," she said.

She called on the industry to increase investment in site workers' wellbeing, including better safety gear, improved rest areas, and supportive onboarding arrangements for newcomers.

Linn also emphasized that construction site safety is a shared responsibility. Regardless of their roles, all stakeholders bear an important and inescapable duty to uphold safety standards on site.

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The Construction Safety Week 2026, co-organized by the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council, is being held from Monday to Friday under the theme "Build Smart. Care with Heart. Own the Task."

The event brings together industry stakeholders to share best practices and promote a culture of safety across the sector, with the aim of advancing the "zero accident" goal.