Hong Kong’s Secretary for Development, Bernadette Linn, has issued an immediate directive requiring the swift removal of all safety netting shrouding large-scale building maintenance sites across the territory. This urgent measure, announced on December 3, is a crucial component of a comprehensive safety review targeting construction envelopes and exterior coverings on repair and renovation projects citywide, affecting hundreds of private and public structures.
The mandate requires contractors and property managers to dismantle the protective netting within three days. This broad order impacts over 200 private residential and commercial blocks, in addition to more than a dozen public housing estates and government-managed facilities, according to details released by the Development Bureau.
Mitigating Immediate Risk Through Temporary Measures
The immediate removal is characterized by officials as a temporary, preventative measure intended to mitigate risks while authorities establish robust, long-term safety standards and improved enforcement protocols for the construction sector. While specific reasons for the heightened risk assessment were not detailed, the scope of the instruction suggests serious concerns regarding the current safety infrastructure used during significant exterior maintenance operations.
Officials have instructed all relevant parties—contractors, property managers, and owners—to closely coordinate the required removal effort immediately. The government plans to conduct subsequent compliance checks to ensure adherence to the three-day deadline.
The Development Bureau emphasized that this sweeping intervention underscores their commitment to public safety during periods of intensive urban renewal and repair work. Hong Kong’s dense urban environment, combined with frequent maintenance necessitated by its climate and building age, often results in large portions of structures being encased in scaffolding and protective wraps.
Industry Implications and Compliance
The order places a significant logistical and financial burden on the construction industry, compelling immediate reallocation of resources to safely remove the massive amounts of netting involved. While safety netting is a standard measure to prevent debris from falling during construction, the recent government action indicates underlying systemic issues under review.
For residents and building owners, this action signals potential temporary disruptions to ongoing maintenance schedules and underscores the government’s serious approach to construction site safety. The removal of the netting may also temporarily expose ongoing renovation work, requiring enhanced perimeter security measures at construction sites.
Next Steps: Establishing Long-Term Standards
This emergency action is expected to be followed by a period of rigorous consultation and assessment aimed at reforming safety standards for building envelopes. The goal is to establish enhanced regulations that effectively mitigate risks inherent in large-scale exterior maintenance projects, ensuring both worker safety and public protection in high-density areas. Stakeholders anticipate clearer guidelines and potentially stricter enforcement models to be introduced in the coming months as part of the governmental review’s outcome. Property managers and relevant associations should closely monitor updates from the Development Bureau regarding the revised safety requirements.