Construction Industry Council chairman Thomas Ho called on Saturday for fire safety management plans to be clearly written into all contracts involving building maintenance works to ensure that everyone could be held accountable.

Speaking on Commercial Radio, he acknowledged that the sector lacked a strong fire safety culture and awareness, which he said requires urgent improvement.

“I suggest it be written clearly in the contract that there is a fire safety management plan," Ho said.

"This ensures everyone takes responsibility and fulfills their respective roles. It starts from the design phase: designing for safety and fireproofing. The problem should be solved systematically.”

On the same programme, Chau Sze-kit, chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, expressed support for a full ban on smoking at building and major renovation sites.

He noted that although smoking and the consumption of alcohol are typically prohibited at such sites, there are currently no statutory requirements in place.

“We have a smoking zone so that workers can smoke in a designated area. But I think there’s a loophole," Chau said.

"Honestly speaking, there are workers who don’t abide by the requirements, and since the site is large, if they have a strong addiction, they will hide to smoke, and it’s hard to catch them,” he said.

However, Chau also pointed out that society has been “passing judgment before a trial was held” by assuming the Wang Fuk Court fire had been caused by workers lighting up.

He stressed that the problem is a systemic one, with the issues involved, including site management, materials used and a failure on the part of professionals and property management companies to perform their duties properly.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun has said the government will be proposing legislation for a complete ban on smoking at construction and major renovation sites once the new legislature convenes next month.

Meanwhile, the Construction Industry Council announced it would offer more free training courses for workers unable to work in the short term now that the government had ordered the removal of all mesh netting on buildings undergoing major renovations across the city, causing projects to be suspended.

It will provide up to HK$19,000 for workers who obtain certificates after attending certain upskilling training courses, with 5,000 places reserved for affected workers.