English
https://forms.gle/1RzGb9hC2S1LX3NP6
With 30 years of hands-on experience, Ir AU is a true veteran of the construction industry. His career has touched almost every corner of the industry — from initial design, site construction, frontline supervision, policy maker to safety training provider. Today, he stays busy as the Principal of Hong Kong Institute of Construction, Construction Industry Council.
Currently, he is serving as Advisory Committee and Disciplinary Board in Labour Department, and Deputy Chairman of Safety Specialist Committee in HKIE.
This talk is divided into three parts: -
1.Importance and core elements of safety culture
2.Best practices for excellence; and
3.Case studies on successful organizations
Ir LIU Sing Pang, Simon is a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers and a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He is also a Chartered Engineer of UK. He is the President of Hong Kong Construction Association and Supervisor of HKCA Po Leung Kuk School. He is the director of Build King Construction Limited, Build King Civil Engineering Limited and Build King (Zens) Engineering Limited.
Ir Liu is a member of the 6th Election Committee of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a member of Construction Industry Council, Chairperson of the Construction Industry Training Board, Hong Kong Institute of Construction Management Board member. He is also Chairman of the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board, a member of Governing Council of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency and a member of HKTDC Infrastructure Development Advisory Committee. With 40 years of experience, he has extensive expertise in civil engineering and building construction.
Abstract
Singapore’s Design for Safety (DfS) framework represents a major shift in how safety is managed on major infrastructure projects. Instead of relying on a reactive, site-based approach, the framework focuses on identifying and eliminating risks at their source through the design process. Introduced under the Workplace Safety and Health (Design for Safety) Regulations, DfS requires developers, designers, and contractors to work together to identify, eliminate, and mitigate foreseeable risks at the earliest stages of a project. This process is supported by structured design reviews and a formal risk register.
This presentation explores how the DfS process is applied in practice across complex infrastructure projects in Singapore, including metro, road, and aviation developments, and highlights the value it delivers. Key benefits include improved safety outcomes, reduced construction and maintenance risks, greater programme certainty, and potential cost savings through earlier risk resolution. By embedding safety into design decisions and strengthening collaboration across project teams, DfS helps protect both workers and the public while also enabling more efficient and resilient project delivery.
Biography
Nick Osborne is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with over 30 years of international experience in geotechnical engineering and tunnelling. He specialises in the design, construction and supervision of underground works including tunnels, metro stations, deep excavations and foundations, and is known for delivering practical and sustainable solutions in complex urban environments. He has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing major infrastructure projects, combining strong technical expertise with commercial and delivery leadership.
Nick is based in Hong Kong currently serves as Transport Lead for Asia at Mott MacDonald, where he leads the regional transport business, overseeing technical quality, governance and delivery across a broad portfolio of projects spanning metro, rail, roads, aviation and maritime reclamation. Prior to this, he held senior leadership roles across East Asia, including Major Projects Director and Transport Leader, delivering high‑profile developments such as metro systems, airport expansions and large underground infrastructure programmes in Singapore, Hong Kong and across Southeast Asia.
Abstract
Hong Kong’s construction industry continues to face persistent safety challenges despite a strong regulatory framework and rising expectations from government, clients, and the public. This highlights the need to shift from compliance-driven safety to a more proactive, performance-based approach. This presentation explores why accidents still occur, focusing on systemic issues such as design risks, programme pressures, fragmented responsibilities, and human factors including fatigue and risk normalization. It emphasizes the role of consulting engineers in prevention through design, where integrating safety at the concept and design stages—through approaches like safe maintenance access and modular construction—can eliminate risks at source.
The importance of stronger collaboration among clients, consultants, and contractors is also discussed, alongside enabling practices such as early contractor involvement and aligned safety KPIs. In addition, digital technologies—including BIM, AI, IoT, and drones—are highlighted as enablers for improving safety planning and monitoring, while reinforcing that leadership and culture remain critical.
Ultimately, the presentation advocates a shift from managing risks during construction to designing them out early, posing a key question:
Are we truly delivering projects that are safe throughout their lifecycle, rather than only during construction?
Biography
Barry is a seasoned engineer with extensive experience in multidisciplinary infrastructure projects. He is a veteran in project management, planning, detailed design, contract procurement, contract administration, and delivery across sectors including aviation, highways, traffic and transport planning, rail and transit, ports and marine.
With over 31 years’ experience across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, Barry has led public- and private-sector initiatives for Public Works Departments, private developers, and the MTR Corporation, giving him a deep understanding of statutory compliance, quality assurance, and client expectations. He spearheaded the detailed planning and design of the railway extension projects under RDS‑2014.
Currently he leads project delivery management within MTR Capital Works, ensuring delivery teams are equipped with industry best practices and skills. He also champions earlier involvement of delivery teams to support planning, feasibility, and design. Known for promoting innovation, Barry is passionate about digital and forward‑looking solutions.