Total construction site smoking ban takes effect

A total smoking ban on construction sites takes effect today, July 17. Under the new legislation, smoking within the confines of a construction site, inculding premises for buliding repair, maintance or renovation, is strictly prohibited and constitues an offense.

Occupational Safety Officers (OSOs) from the Labour Department will immediately issue fixed penalty notices to any individual found smoking on-site, without prior warning. Offenders will be subject to a fixed fine of $3,000.

Contractors and subcontractors of construction sites shall take all resonable steps to ensure that no smoking occurs on-site, such as clearly marking the boundaries of the construction area. Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000.

The government commences enforcement actions starting today. These measures include unannounced inspections without prior notification to site management, with no grace or warning periods provided.

At a construction site in Kai Tak, multiple notices and electronic display screens have been installed to inform workers of the new rules. Some workers comfirmed onsite surveillance measures have been implement to ensure compliance.