Safety documents for Hong Kong construction sites ‘should require e-signatures’
Industry veteran raises suggestion to fight fraud after ICAC uncovers suspected bribery of inspectors at residential project
A Hong Kong construction industry leader has called on professionals to use electronic signatures for safety documents to help prevent fraud, after authorities uncovered a suspected bribery scandal involving a residential project in Kwun Tong.
Earlier this week, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) alleged that subcontractors had offered bribes to supervisors to turn a blind eye to subpar steel reinforcement works at a residential project handled by real estate giant CK Asset Holdings.
Industry veterans on Saturday stressed that the scandal was unacceptable but was likely to be an isolated incident.
Authorities said they found rebar in the concrete of all six buildings at the site failed to comply with approved building plans as it was either missing, displaced, loosely arranged or thinner than required.
The city’s anti-corruption agency said that the subpar work was part of an effort to cut costs and maximise profit.
Hong Kong Construction Association vice-president Stephen Lee Ka-lun said on Saturday that strict law enforcement was necessary to combat what he called an individual case.
He said the industry should use technology to combat fraud and suggested such efforts target professionals who pre-signed safety documents without any thorough on-site checks.