Hong Kong Construction Safety Market
Hong Kong’s construction industry presents lucrative opportunities for U.S. companies due to government initiatives and significant safety challenges in the market, as outlined below. Construction projects are characterized by high mobility of workers, constantly changing site environments, and multiple contractors working on the same site, all of which can increase the risk of accidents. Despite ambitious goals set by the Hong Kong Government (HKG), including achieving their vision of accident-free work sites, the sector continues to face high rates of occupational injuries and fatalities. In 2023, there were 3,300 reported injuries and 45 fatalities, slightly lower than the previous year’s figures of 4,377 injuries and 51 fatalities. The industry recorded 3,097 industrial accidents in 2023, a slight increase from 2022’s 3,046 incidents.
To address these challenges, the HKG has launched initiatives such as smart technology implementation to manage and alert construction workers about potential hazards. The Construction Safety Summit 2022 gathered over 40 industry representatives who pledged to enhance the safety culture within the sector.
Examples for U.S. companies to leverage if they are already a provider of safety solutions in the construction sector:
Safety Management Technology
The Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant project team uses smart devices to monitor high-risk activities and improve safety. Smart safety helmets and watches alert safety management staff and workers if an unauthorized person enters a danger zone. Alarms are triggered if a worker spends too much time in a confined space. Workers can also seek help through their smart watches during emergencies.
Construction Robots
The Housing Authority adopted the use of indoor construction robots, which has improved safety at public housing sites. The robot can perform tasks such as skim coating, grinding, and painting, and uses laser scanning and AI vision to detect obstacles. It collects dust during grinding and can be controlled remotely, reducing the need for working at heights. The authority plans to continue using construction robots to enhance site safety and promote industry transformation.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF), which received a total injection of $2.2 billion in October 2018, was established to encourage the use of innovative construction methods and technologies. Administered by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) on behalf of the government, this initiative aims to improve productivity, construction quality, site safety, and environmental performance. One of the supported technologies is Building Information Modeling (BIM), and CITF funding can be utilized for BIM training, including collaborative training with BIM Viewer and project-based coaching, as well as for experiential use and adoption of BIM in projects.
As the construction industry in Hong Kong has seen Chinese companies gain more market share, along with a stronger presence from European construction firms, U.S. companies must be prepared to compete in order to win projects, usually in the forms of alliances and partnerships with local developers and contractors.
For more information, please contact us at Office.Hongkong@trade.gov.