The Safety Forum for Works and Property Management Services 2026 Promotes Site Safety Culture Amid Industry Challenges

Housing Authority joins hands with industry to enhance site safety

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

The Safety Forum for Works and Property Management Services 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Construction Industry Council, was held today (August 18) to promote a site safety culture.

Addressing the Forum's opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Miss Charmaine Lee, said that rising project complexities, an ageing construction workforce as well as increasing extreme weather events present unprecedented and multifaceted challenges to the industry. However, these challenges also bring opportunities for transformation and enhancement. By deepening the application of innovative technologies, the sector can turn these challenges into driving forces for comprehensive industry upgrades.

Miss Lee said that while innovative technologies can boost efficiency, they can never replace the judgment and responsibility of management personnel. The industry must prioritise risk identification and mitigation at early project stages and adhere to the principle of "prevention over remediation" to safeguard site safety.

The theme of the Forum this year is "Design-DrivenTech-EmpoweredBuilding a New Era of Safety Together". Bringing together industry professionals to share the latest information and exchange insights, the Forum encourages stakeholders to strengthen safety considerations right from the design stage and leverage technology to enhance safety performance. It also promotes close collaboration between management and frontline workers to jointly build a robust site safety culture.

The Forum was held physically and broadcast online to disseminate safety information broadly to industry practitioners. Participants included works contractors, service providers for property management, cleaning and security, representatives from supporting organisations, members of the construction and academic sectors, as well as works and estate management staff of the HA.

The Forum, now in its 20th edition, continues to receive strong support and participation from various government departments, professional organisations, trade associations and labour unions to share practical experiences and insights on site safety. Over the years, the Forum has continuously promoted site safety messages, while actively fostering a safety culture across all levels from management to frontline staff in the industry.

The Safety Forum for Works and Property Management Services 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Construction Industry Council, was held today (August 18) to promote site safety culture. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Miss Charmaine Lee (centre) visiting the smart technology and safety equipment exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Safety Forum for Works and Property Management Services 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), was held today (August 18) to promote site safety culture. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Miss Charmaine Lee (centre), joined hands with the Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Ms Bonnie Yau (second left); the Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho (second right); the Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Michael Hong (first left); and the Acting Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction), Mr Max Wong (first right), to encourage the industry to jointly promote site safety. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Safety Forum for Works and Property Management Services 2026, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), was held today (August 18) to promote site safety culture. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Miss Charmaine Lee (front row, tenth right); the Executive Director of the OSHC, Ms Bonnie Yau (front row, tenth left); and the Chairman of the CIC, Mr Thomas Ho (front row, ninth right), pictured with representatives of supporting organisations and forum speakers. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS urges public not to consume batch of imported spread product suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 18) urged the public not to consume a batch of spread product imported from France due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread

Brand: L'atelier Blini

Place of origin: France

Net weight: 175 grams

Batch number: 12262661

Use-by date: August 30, 2026

Importer: City Super Limited

Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread, Photo source: online image

"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notification from the Rappel Conso of France that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes due to suspected issue with the cold chain. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.

As a precautionary measure, the importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman added.

"In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, susceptible populations such as pregnant women should consume freshly prepared hot food where possible, reheat chilled food until it is hot all the way through, and avoid high-risk foods, including ready-to-eat food such as cold cuts, cold smoked seafood, soft cheeses, salads, etc, or cook them thoroughly before consumption, even if they are presented as part of a dish."

The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of the product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS has contacted the French authority over the incident and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Spread product, Photo source: online image