Hong Kong considers AI drones to enforce construction site smoking ban

Hong Kong's Labour Department is considering integrating artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology into drones to bolster the enforcement of a smoking ban at construction sites. Since the ban took effect in mid-July, authorities have inspected nearly 1,400 sites and issued 39 fines.

Wan Chi-ping, the Labour Department’s assistant commissioner for occupational safety, stated that the department is researching the feasibility of adding facial recognition tools to drones, a process that could take nine months to a year. Currently, drones equipped with cameras and infrared sensors are used to detect potential instances of smoking by identifying higher temperatures, typically associated with smoking.

"We can adjust the thermal sensitivity threshold to 60 to 80°C, which is typically the temperature range for smoking. If a temperature of this range [is detected], a red dot will appear on the monitor," Wan explained in Cantonese. Despite these technological efforts, he noted that none of the 39 fines issued to date were a direct result of drone detection.

The smoking ban is part of a broader government initiative following a deadly Tai Po fire last November, which authorities believe was most likely caused by smoking. The new regulations designate all construction sites as no-smoking areas, with offenders facing a HK$3,000 fine. Contractors who fail to enforce the ban on their sites risk a maximum penalty of HK$400,000.

In addition to the fines, authorities have also issued 11 improvement notices for sites where anti-smoking measures were substandard. The department's exploration of AI-powered drones highlights its commitment to leveraging technology for stricter workplace safety enforcement.

“

We can adjust the thermal sensitivity threshold to 60 to 80°C, which is typically the temperature range for smoking. If a temperature of this range [is detected], a red dot will appear on the monitor.