The Office of The Ombudsman published the Direct Investigation Report on the Government's Regulation of Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry in April 2025, which highlighted deficiencies in safety training for site personnel, including workers and supervisors, in non-public works projects (including private construction projects). In contrast, public works projects have consistently achieved significantly better safety performance, with lower accident and casualty rates than the industry average. This success is largely attributable to their comprehensive and rigorous safety education and training requirements.
In view of this, the Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) is launching the Non-Public Works Safety Training Promotion Scheme, a four-year subsidy programme aimed at extending safety training opportunities to personnel working on non-public works projects. The Scheme seeks to enhance occupational safety and health standards across the construction industry by providing course fee subsidies and incentive allowances, encouraging more practitioners engaged in non-public works projects to undertake safety training.
The Scheme covers the following three core safety training programmes promoted and coordinated by HKIC:
- Certificate of Safety Training for Site Management Staff
- Certificate for Construction Safety Supervisors
- Safety Training Course for Construction Workers of Specified Trade (AS1 to AS14)
HKIC believes that this subsidy scheme will encourage greater participation in safety training among practitioners involved in non-public works projects and help extend the successful safety training practices adopted in public works projects across the wider construction industry, thereby fostering a safer and healthier working environment for all.
(Note: Non-public works projects refer to construction projects other than those undertaken by the Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Highways Department, and Water Supplies Department.)
Launch Date: 19/9/2025