York Joint is a civil and green social enterprise based in Hong Kong that provides engineering consultancy, design, and construction services. Our core values of integrity, safety, and excellence drive us to deliver high-quality construction projects. We work closely with our business partners, social enterprises, and NGOs to align stakeholder interests and promote shared ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values across four pillars: Workplace, Marketplace, Environment, and Community.
At York Joint, we are committed to creating job opportunities for underprivileged communities. We have successfully recruited over 80 candidates from marginalized youth, ex-offenders, ethnic minorities, new immigrants, and people with disabilities in Hong Kong. These individuals have been involved in various projects, including those with the HKSAR Government, Disney Land, HK Land, and Gammon Construction.
The construction industry is known for its high-risk environment, where accidents and injuries are unfortunately common. We understand that carelessness or ignorance can lead to tragic consequences, and existing safety systems often provide only a third-person perspective, which may not prompt frontline staff to take immediate corrective action. Additionally, physical limitations can prevent certain individuals from working on construction sites, despite possessing sound safety knowledge and expertise.
To address these challenges and enhance safety compliance standards, we have developed SALUS, a Smart Site Safety System that empowers People with Disabilities (PwD). SALUS is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, supporting efficient and safe work practices. It utilizes smart goggles and 5G technology to transmit real-time video and audio from the construction site to trained PwD and AI systems for monitoring and supervision. This enables socially disadvantaged individuals to work remotely from home or office, expanding opportunities for them and supporting their livelihoods.
Before entering the SALUS system, individuals undergo training in accordance with established safety programs such as safety officers, safety supervisors, and construction workers of specified trades. They are equipped with professional knowledge and safety procedures. Trained individuals in the back office then further train the AI, identify hazards, monitor safety procedures, and provide real-time reminders to frontline operators and workers via smart goggles with a head-up display. This proactive approach helps prevent accidents by addressing potential issues before they occur.
Research and interviews with workers have revealed that approximately 80% of accidents are caused by human error. The current safety systems, which rely on third-party inspections, often fail to rectify actions in real-time. SALUS empowers PwD to assist frontline operators and workers in accident prevention, ensuring compliance with safety procedures, and providing critical safety information, such as hazard locations and proper procedures, in real-time.
SALUS also opens up employment opportunities for PwD in the back office, aligning neglected talents with professional standards. By leveraging assistive technology, our system offers job vacancies to rehabilitation clients who have been injured in construction accidents. These back office assistants act as an "independent 1st Eye" for the wearers, monitoring and facilitating safety procedures, ensuring adherence to safety regulations, and contributing to AI learning processes through tagging.
The recent policies and requirements set by the HKSAR Government for digitalization in the construction industry present a golden opportunity for our product. As a licensed registered contractor in HKSAR WSD, EMSD, and CIC, we have established connections with major contractors listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, such as Gammon Construction, Yee Hop Holding, and Disney Land. Our product will be field-tested by our site team and experienced by these contractors. Additionally, we have partnered with City University of Hong Kong and Pong Yuen Holdings Limited, a top-tier AI company in HKSTP, for AI development, providing solid support for product adoption.
Being a social enterprise listed in HKSAR HAD and HKCSS SE Directory, our product reflects the shared values of social innovation and governance for ESG reporting. The CIC Construction Innovation and Technology Fund, with approximately HKD 2.2 billion, offers financial support for the adoption of our product. We are targeting construction companies in Hong Kong that prioritize construction safety and the well-being of on-site workers. Our long-term goal is to expand the reach of our product and services to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and emerging markets.
While each company may have its own preferences, we firmly believe that our solution is the best in connecting goals with the necessary work to achieve them. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to collaborate with you to create a positive social impact and make construction sites safer for everyone through SALUS, fostering social innovation and unleashing neglected productivity.
