Changing Site Culture for a Safer Working Environment

2023 was a year to be remembered. During the year, the industry achieved a satisfactory level of development by completing various Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) projects, seeing the concept of sustainable construction take root in Hong Kong, and tasting the success of digitalisation. However, all this progress was overshadowed by multiple fatal construction accidents.

One fatal accident is too many. Therefore, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) has set 2024 as the Year of Safety to enhance the site environment. Apart from employing innovative technologies, the CIC has proposed fundamental changes to the safety culture of the construction site. Recently, the CIC invited Ir Prof Frank CHAN, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress, to share his point of view on site safety and safety culture.

New Technologies to Enhance Site Safety

Work on several large-scale infrastructure projects is to begin shortly in Hong Kong, all contributing to the building of a more prosperous, resilient, liveable, sustainable city. They include more than 400,000 public housing units over the next decade, the development of the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, and the construction of railways and major roads. Construction volume is projected to reach HK$300 billion per year.

As Ir Prof CHAN has pointed out, bringing these plans to fruition will require the efforts of hundreds of thousands of construction workers. However, the safety and protection of industry workers remains far from satisfactory. The industry has long been aware of the importance of site safety and has gradually implemented extensive measures of improvement. These include the adoption of MiC and Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), which have long been promoted by the CIC, the continuous implementation of Dynamic Risk Assessment, installation of Smart Site Safety Systems, and the strengthening of site supervision and training.

Contractors have installed sufficient safety hardware and software and assigned ample resources for training and improvement. The Government and the CIC have also spared no effort to promote site safety, including the amendment of relevant laws and increasing the number of site inspections. Nevertheless, accidents continue to occur. Both Ir Prof CHAN and Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC believe that problem is rooted in a lack of safety culture and awareness in the construction industry. Only a change of culture can improve safety levels.

New Culture Come from the Top

As Ir HO pointed out, examination of construction accident reports reveals common issues such as an absence of Dynamic Risk Assessments, fatal zones, and management and supervision for working at height. He also noted that over 40% of construction accident fatalities are over 60 years old. So, the industry should act now to change site safety culture

“Corporate culture comes from the top. The attention and focus of the leader will impact the culture significantly,” Ir Prof CHAN observed. He also encouraged industry leaders to visit sites in person, listen to workers’ opinions, and set an example to promote a culture of safety.

He continued: “Safety culture is a combination of attitude, values and perception that influences how to implement all the measures already deployed at the workplace. It is not just paying lip service. To observe the result of such cultural change, one has to watch workers’ behaviour when no one is around to supervise.”

Ir Prof CHAN hopes that construction workers will follow safety measures even when unsupervised. As he said: “Safety is a culture, a habit, an attitude and a mindset.”

Ir Prof CHAN also encourages the industry to immediately put all the measures discussed into practice. Safety culture requires time to build and consolidate. “It is a collective commitment to change. I believe this promise could serve as a guideline and become a value, so that when the workers realise there is a potential risk, they will say ‘no’,” he said.

It is the responsibility of each and every industry stakeholder to promote site safety culture. As Ir Ho said: “I hope from tomorrow you will implement a more effective safety cycle at sites. Please make sure your workers understand where their site’s fatal zones are located, and think about how to help them complete their tasks safely. Ensure that your site management, safety manager and frontline workers complete the Dynamic Risk Assessment and conduct daily morning briefings to let your workers know the site conditions and get accustomed to carrying out work procedures safely.”

Real change starts from the top, and management should walk the talk. Construction safety is everyone’s responsibility.