DEVB TC(W) No. 3/2023, Annex A 5(12)(f)
Smart monitoring devices for workers and frontline site personnel
Clause 5(12)(f) of DEVB TC(W) No. 3/2023, Annex A, requires smart wearables, such as a smart wristband or smart helmet, for every worker and frontline site person. They track location indoors and outdoors, alert on standstill and on body temperature or heart rate over a threshold, and warn on entry to restricted areas. Kodifly supplies and runs them.
What the circular requires, and how sites use it
The contractor provides every worker and frontline site person deployed for the works with a smart monitoring device or an equivalent wearable, including but not limited to a smart wristband or smart helmet (clause 5(12)(f)(i)). The Buildings Department and CIC name the category smart monitoring devices for workers and frontline site personnel.
On a Hong Kong site, the wearable tells the platform where people are, indoors and outdoors, and flags a person who has stopped moving or whose readings cross a threshold. It also warns a worker who walks into an area they are not authorised to enter.
The circular limits what the platform shows. Actual vital sign data is not displayed, to protect privacy. Data collection must comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (clause 1(2)), and frontline staff are briefed on it at site induction (clause 1(4)).
Functions in Annex A, clause 5(12)(f)(ii)
The list reads include, but not limited to.
| Function | What it says |
|---|---|
| Location | Indoor and outdoor tracking, shown on the platform, with a record of people by area and time. Location data is stored on the platform. |
| Standstill | Real-time detection of standstill with an alert. SMS or in-app pop-up, recorded for follow-up. The standstill period is adjustable. |
| Body temperature and heart rate | Real-time detection with an alert when a threshold is exceeded. SMS or in-app pop-up, recorded for follow-up. Thresholds are adjustable. |
| Privacy | Actual vital sign data is not displayed on the platform. |
| Power | Battery and wireless charging. |
| Connectivity | Cellular, Wi-Fi, NB-IoT and/or LoRa, or equivalent. |
| Restricted areas | Only authorised workers may enter. Unauthorised entry triggers alerts to the workers and frontline personnel. |
From wearable to supervisor
Wear
Each worker is issued a wearable at induction and told what it records.
Locate
The platform shows where people are, indoors and outdoors.
Detect
Standstill, or temperature or heart rate over the set threshold, raises an alert.
Notify
An SMS or in-app pop-up goes out and the event is recorded.
Respond
A supervisor checks on the person. The vital sign values themselves stay hidden.
How Kodifly supplies, installs and runs it
Wearables, platform and set-up are one package, joined to the same hub as the other 4S devices.
Devices, software and set-up together
Wearables in the form the clause names
Indoor and outdoor location on the platform
Adjustable standstill and vital sign thresholds
Restricted area warnings
Alerts by SMS or in-app pop-up
Vital sign values kept off the dashboard
Issue, charging and induction arrangements
Worker monitoring, answered
What does the circular require for worker monitoring?
Smart wearables for every worker and frontline site person, with location tracking, standstill and vital sign alerts, and restricted area warnings (Annex A, clause 5(12)(f)).
What wearables count?
A smart monitoring device or an equivalent wearable, including but not limited to a smart wristband or a smart helmet (clause 5(12)(f)(i)).
Can the platform show a worker's heart rate?
No. Actual body vital sign data must not be displayed on the platform for privacy protection. The platform shows alerts when thresholds are exceeded (clause 5(12)(f)(ii)).
Can the thresholds be changed?
Yes. The standstill period and the body temperature and heart rate thresholds are adjustable (clause 5(12)(f)(ii)).
How does the data protection law apply?
The operation and collection of data from all 4S components must comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, Cap. 486, and frontline personnel are briefed on data collection during site induction (clauses 1(2), 1(4) and 3(3)).
How do wearables help in confined spaces?
The confined space clause allows worker counting and location tracking to rely on the worker monitoring devices where they cover the function adequately (clause 5(12)(h), note).
Related guides
Equip your workforce
Tell us the trades and headcount. We will plan the wearables and the thresholds.