HONG KONG— Following an urgent, city-wide safety review, Development Secretary Bernadette Linn has issued a directive requiring the removal of safety netting from all large-scale building maintenance sites across Hong Kong within three days, effective immediately. This sweeping mandate affects over 200 private residential and commercial properties, alongside more than a dozen public housing and government facilities, impacting both private and public sector projects. The government describes this as a crucial, temporary measure aimed at mitigating potential risks while officials reassess and strengthen long-term construction safety standards and enforcement procedures across the territory.
Cracking Down on Suspect Materials
The urgency of the action stems from ongoing investigations into the legitimacy of fire-retardant certifications claimed for scaffold netting used at several renovation sites. Enforcement authorities have launched formal inquiries into projects at Fung Wah Estate in Chai Wan and Fu Kar Court at Fortress Garden in Fortress Hill.
In both instances, while property management claimed to possess compliant test reports, official inspections revealed problematic documentation. For example, issues cited by officials include difficulty verifying contact information listed on a report allegedly originating from Binzhou. Officials from the Buildings Department and the Housing Bureau immediately visited these sites to seize critical paperwork, noting the discovery of the implicated scaffold netting and evidence suggesting possible document falsification. The government emphasized that any proven malpractice will be rigorously pursued, potentially leading to the de-registration of responsible contractors.
Intensified Oversight and Testing
To ensure widespread compliance and accountability, various departments—including the Housing Bureau—have simultaneously initiated intensive material sampling at over 300 buildings. Utilizing a strict methodology, inspectors collected more than a thousand samples from lower, middle, and upper elevations. These samples are currently undergoing comprehensive laboratory testing to identify non-compliant materials. The Development Bureau assured the public that the temporary removal of the nets will not hinder ongoing scrutiny of the materials used.
Contractors and property managers have been instructed to coordinate the immediate removal process. While safety is paramount, officials stressed that the immediate priority is effective management of the aftermath and re-establishing trust. Construction oversight traditionally relies heavily on professional trust within the industry, and any indication that this trust has been compromised will prompt a thorough reassessment of existing procedures.
Reviewing the Regulatory Framework
Beyond immediate operational changes, the Chief Executive has established multiple task forces to review the entire regulatory framework governing construction safety. An independent commission will also examine the current regime to identify and address any existing regulatory gaps.
The government urged the construction industry to reflect seriously on the lessons presented by this incident. Potential consequences for registered contractors found in breach of regulations include severe penalties and potential de-registration. This comprehensive response signals Hong Kong’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and integrity within its critical maintenance and renovation sector.