Using small unmanned aircraft to assist in law enforcement

The Labour Department (“LD”) will start using small unmanned aircraft (“SUA”) from October 2025 to aid the enforcement of occupational safety and health (“OSH”) legislation to further combat unsafe work activities.

Before entering the sites, Occupational Safety Officers of the LD may utilise SUA to conduct aerial remote inspections. Upon detecting unsafe or non-compliant work practices, photos and videos will be immediately taken to capture the relevant violations. The LD will then deploy staff to enter the sites for law enforcement and take corresponding regulatory actions including issuing suspension notices, improvement notices and initiating prosecutions without prior warning. Those who breach extremely serious OSH offence are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years upon conviction.

Violating OSH legislation can lead to grave consequences. Contractors are reminded once again to properly manage risks on construction sites, take adequate safety measures, and ensure the safety of workers at work to avoid violating the law.

The LD will continue to enhance the effectiveness and intensity of law enforcement through various means to further safeguard the OSH of workers.