The Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (HKICM) successfully hosted a seminar titled “Establishing Psychological Safety to Improve OSH Culture” on 14 April 2026, featuring a comprehensive presentation by Dr. Winson Yeung, Principal Consultant of the Occupational Safety & Health Council (OSHC).
Drawing reference from recent fatal construction and industrial accidents in Hong Kong, Dr. Yeung highlighted that reliance on rules, procedures, and technical controls alone is insufficient, as a culture of fear and silence can prevent early intervention and lead to repeated tragedies. He elaborated on the concept of psychological safety as a working environment where individuals feel safe to speak up without fear of blame, and emphasized that leadership behaviours play a decisive role in shaping such a climate. The seminar explored the need to enhance situational awareness through observation, thinking, and communication; cultivate a people‑centred and caring prevention culture; and apply adaptive safety leadership to manage change, address hidden risks, and encourage learning from mistakes. Emphasis was also placed on fostering a Vision Zero mindset by balancing rule‑based compliance with care‑driven leadership that empowers frontline staff to report near misses and hazards proactively. The event concluded with a fruitful Q&A session, during which participants engaged in meaningful discussions on strengthening safety culture and employee engagement.
The SHE Committee would like to express its special thanks to Dr. Winson Yeung for his time, expertise, and insightful sharing, which greatly contributed to the success of the seminar.
