Labour officials on Monday said they plan to start using drones in around a year's time to check safety issues at construction sites. In the first half of this year, there were 11 fatal industrial accidents, two more than during the same period last year. Officials said they will use drones for taking photos from the air and will then use the pictures to generate 3D models to help with law enforcement and evidence collection. "With the advantage of being able to fly, [the drones] can collect evidence and take photos for us," an assistant labour commissioner, Wan Chi-ping, told lawmakers at a manpower panel meeting. "We're now working along this line to see how we can help our staff in patrolling and inspecting various sites in Hong Kong." Wan said officials are now buying the drones needed, and some 20 members of staff are being trained to control them. Officials also said they will look at eliminating risky work tasks or lowering workers' exposure to such activities by helping the sector use technology to improve occupational safety and health.
