Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant Life First: Technological Management for Zero Accident

Apart from constant awareness, implementation of technology at construction sites is another tool to achieve “Life First”. As one of the Construction 2.0 projects spearheaded by the Water Supplies Department, Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant aims to provide a stable supply of safe fresh water that will not be affected by extreme weather events. In its construction, highly efficient environmental management measures are implemented in conjunction with innovative digital technologies, including the flexible implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence Systems. These measures ensure safety at the construction site and a comprehensive management of site records, work progress and manpower management. In late May, Ir Ricky LAU, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works); Mr. LO Kwok Wah, Kelvin, Director of Water Supplies; Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the CIC; Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC and Ir Dr. Derrick PANG, Chairperson of Committee on Construction Safety of the CIC visited the TKO Desalination Plant work site to study how the site puts innovative solutions to good use, so as to identify potential risks and implement appropriate safety measures. This visit also kicked off the “Life First” 2022 safety promotion campaign.
 

Offsite Manufactured Large-scale RO Parts Assembled Efficiently with Digitalised System

Safety measures should be one of the design features since the start of any projects to avoid accidents, the adoption of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and BIM can support this requirement. Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant adopts reverse osmosis (RO) technology, where a desalination membrane removes dissolved salts and impurities from seawater and turns it into drinkable fresh water. In the first quarter of 2022, the first phase of RO building construction was completed - DfMA design were implemented with the production of the major desalination membrane parts in Shanghai. After two rounds of rehearsal, the project team deployed a digitalised lifting appliance management system to transfer the entire desalination block into the Plant. Construction time was significantly reduced and the risk of on-site construction was mitigated.

Parts Tracking in Common Data Environment

A Lifting Appliances & Lifting Gears Management System was adopted to manage the project’s vast lifting and logistic works. All parts contain QR codes for showing individual installation information. These simple and minor steps further boost work efficiency, prevents unnecessary misunderstandings, and results in a stronger team. In such a complex application of multiple technologies, Common Data Environment (CDE) is essential. For instance, the project team used the BIM system for construction design that can be used for cross-checking for accuracy through instance integration of the real life conditions with the BIM models. It prevented gaps in interpretation and the need for correction work.

Pioneer for Safe and Smart Construction Site

The Desalination Plant has adopted the model of “Design, Build and Operate” as well as a range of smart devices in its construction, including underwater and air drone, smart cameras, Lifting Appliances & Lifting Gears (LALG) Management System, IoT sensors, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), People Management System etc. The concept of Safe and Smart Construction Site permeates all work processes, and encourages the team to frequently inspect facilities and the surroundings, while reducing work risks arising from inclement weather (like typhoons and thunderstorms). Immediate reminder can also be issued to workers who does not comply to safety guidelines.

Centralised Safety Platform to Boost Safety Level

Entering the Plant’s site office building, real time operational statistics and other real-time figures are shown on different monitors, including workers’ attendance, environmental statistics and CCTV images around the site. As a Centralised Safety Platform is used to collate control of the smart devices, monitoring and managing them has become more direct and convenient, when different operating systems are involved. “Safet Smart Site” concept is put into practice and result in a “zero accident” record.

PS(W): Workers should be Rewarded by their Wisdom and Hard Work

At the Launching Ceremony of the 2022 Life First campaign, Ir Ricky LAU, explained his strong belief that workers’ are paid for their hard work, not their lives. Stakeholders should uphold the safety mantra of “everyone is responsible” in their work, and stress their own safety and by extension, the safety of everyone around them at all times to ensure the sustainable development of the industry.

Chairman: Safety is a Job to be Done at Site

Ir Thomas HO encouraged owners, consultant agencies, contractors and developers to undertake safety and risk assessments since the initial stages of a project. For example, a contractor should remind subcontractors and workers the wind direction and supply proper safety gear. Workers should be on high alert at all times and “say no to danger”. With the awareness of responsibilities to be borne by the stakeholders in the industry, construction works and site safety will surely be a smooth sea to sail.

Adopt Technologies and Technique for Efficient and Safe Construction

The project team does not only apply technology in Design, Build & Operate, a Safety Training Centre and a VR Safety Experience Zone are set up for a 1-hour compulsory training and quiz to all newly employed workers. The Centre provides a number of VR safety experience stations and training, including equipment usage, first aid practice, safety helmet impact trial, fire suppression trial etc. These trainings actualise the safety concept and put forward the experiential learning experiences. As a result, it enhances the training effect. Ir Ricky Lau and Ir Thomas Ho had a run on the safety helmet impact trial. Though seemingly a simple step, all frontline workers are clearly reminded of the importance of properly wearing the helmet and prevention of serious accidents. "Life First" is reinforced and implemented at the site.