Amid the hustle and bustle of construction sites in Hong Kong, work safety remains a pressing concern. There are several innovative solutions available within the industry to enhance protection for workers, notably the Smart Site Safety System (4S). Kevin Chan Yan-wai, a fourth-year Doctor of Education (EdD) student at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), has focused his research on occupational safety education. His work on the 4S recently earned him the prestigious ‘Occupational Safety and Health Best Project Scholarship for the Academic Year 2023/24’ Merit Award from the Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health Council.

In recent years, the Hong Kong government has promoted the 4S to further enhance safety performance within the construction industry. This system integrates innovative safety technologies, including smoke and fire detectors, real-time location monitoring and hazard alert systems. These components feed data into a centralised management platform, enabling comprehensive safety monitoring and rapid response to potential risks. Nonetheless, challenges in implementation persist, particularly regarding worker acceptance of new technologies and variations in management approaches.

Kevin’s research employed a case study methodology, examining two construction sites where the 4S had been deployed. Through interviews with safety officers, operators, site supervisors and system developers, he gained multifaceted insights into the system’s operation. His findings confirmed the 4S’s effectiveness in improving safety standards – from digital tracking that prevents access to hazardous zones to VR training that simulates dangerous scenarios. However, he also uncovered significant challenges: experienced workers often distrusted new technologies, some managers over-relied on data at the expense of on-site communication, and technical issues occasionally undermined confidence in the system.

At EdUHK, Kevin received invaluable guidance from his supervisor, Dr Tsang Yiu-fai, Associate Professor in the Department of Science and Environmental Studies and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School of EdUHK. Under Dr Tsang’s mentorship, Kevin successfully integrated educational theory with safety technology. He particularly values EdUHK’s interdisciplinary approach, which exposed him to sustainability education, educational psychology, digital learning theories and other relevant fields. “Without Dr Tsang's guidance, I might still be stuck overanalysing research design issues – let alone winning an award,” Kevin said.

The award has reinforced Kevin’s determination to become an occupational safety educator. “While Hong Kong has robust safety regulations, implementation gaps persist due to knowledge disparities,” he explained. Veteran workers may rely on experience rather than new systems, while younger managers may prioritise data over direct engagement. “My mission is to bridge this divide,” Kevin said.

Kevin’s professional journey began on construction sites as a safety officer. His transition into academia stems from a firm belief that “education illuminates lives and knowledge transforms futures.” Four years ago, he chose EdUHK for his doctoral studies, drawn by its unique focus on teacher development. “As Hong Kong's only university dedicated to nurturing educators – those who enlighten others – it was the natural choice,” he said.

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