Introduction
The construction industry is fraught with risks that can lead to accidents, financial losses, and adverse environmental impacts. As the industry evolves, so too do the associated risks, necessitating innovative approaches to manage and mitigate these hazards. The Research Centre for Design for Safety at PolyU is envisioned as a beacon of innovation, education, and collaboration, dedicated to pioneering safer construction methodologies through interdisciplinary research and strategic industry partnerships.
Vision
Our vision is to harness cutting-edge knowledge and innovations for design for safety to achieve zero fatality and establish a harm-free environment in the construction industry.
Mission
The mission of the Research Centre for Design for Safety is to advance the science and practice of safety by integrating cutting-edge research from engineering, environmental science, and systems design.
The centre aims to:
- Develop innovative safety design methodologies that proactively mitigate risks in construction projects.
- Collaborate with industry partners to translate research findings into practical, actionable solutions.
- Educate and equip future generations of safety professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in an evolving industry landscape.

Senior Lecturer,
Director of Research Center for Design for Safety
Dr Nicole S.N. YIU
What's New
What's New
We are pleased to announce that Prof. CS Poon (Director of RCDfS and Head of CEE) served as the judging panel for the "Design for Safety Excellence Award 2025". The competition honors outstanding achievements in safety design and innovation. Awards were presented during the "HKIE Safety Specialist Committee 30th Anniversary Dinner", celebrating the exceptional contributions of all participants. Thank you for promoting safety in our industry!
11 Jun 2025

A group of 22 students from St. Francis Xavier’s College visited CEE on 15 May 2025 (Thursday). Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, unveiled the visit by a programme talk, providing the students with useful information about the admission process for the BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and the BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development programmes. He also shared updates on the civil engineering industry and disc
27 May 2025

We are proud to announce and Mr Ng Chi Hin, graduates of CEE, for being awarded the Occupational Safety & Health Best Project Scholarship 2024 by the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC). Both students graduated from the BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) programme. Supervised by Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, Mr So’s final year project titled “The Effectiveness of Metaverse Technology in
27 May 2025

The Research Centre for Design for Safety Train-the-trainer Workshop themed “Applying VR/Mixed-reality Interventions in Construction Safety Trainings” was successfully held on 22 February 2025 (Saturday). This event was co-organized with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association (CEEAA) and supported by the Industrial Centre of PolyU, the Society of Registered Safety Officers, and the Hong Kong As
27 Feb 2025

The CEE One-Day Seminar – Innovating Towards a Sustainable Built Environment was successfully held on 23 November 2024, attracting over 280 participants, including alumni, industry partners and students, joining the day filled with ground-breaking ideas of innovative and sustainable approaches to shape a greener future for the built environment. The seminar was graced by keynoted speaker Ir Ricky Lau, alongside with nine distinguished speakers, i
26 Nov 2024

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Research Centre for Design for Safety (RCDfS). The opening ceremony, took place on 27 June 2024 (Thursday), attracted more than 100 participants, bringing together industry leaders, professionals, alumni, staff and students to celebrate the launch of this groundbreaking initiative. The ceremony was kicked off by a welcome address by Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Head of CEE and Director of RCDfS, follow
3 Jul 2024

A group of 22 students from St. Francis Xavier’s College visited CEE on 15 May 2025 (Thursday). Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, unveiled the visit by a programme talk, providing the students with useful information about the admission process for the BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and the BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development programmes. He also shared updates on the civil engineering industry and disc
27 May 2025

We are proud to announce and Mr Ng Chi Hin, graduates of CEE, for being awarded the Occupational Safety & Health Best Project Scholarship 2024 by the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC). Both students graduated from the BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) programme. Supervised by Prof. Tony Sze, Associate Professor of CEE, Mr So’s final year project titled “The Effectiveness of Metaverse Technology in
27 May 2025

The Research Centre for Design for Safety Train-the-trainer Workshop themed “Applying VR/Mixed-reality Interventions in Construction Safety Trainings” was successfully held on 22 February 2025 (Saturday). This event was co-organized with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association (CEEAA) and supported by the Industrial Centre of PolyU, the Society of Registered Safety Officers, and the Hong Kong As
27 Feb 2025

The CEE One-Day Seminar – Innovating Towards a Sustainable Built Environment was successfully held on 23 November 2024, attracting over 280 participants, including alumni, industry partners and students, joining the day filled with ground-breaking ideas of innovative and sustainable approaches to shape a greener future for the built environment. The seminar was graced by keynoted speaker Ir Ricky Lau, alongside with nine distinguished speakers, i
26 Nov 2024

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Research Centre for Design for Safety (RCDfS). The opening ceremony, took place on 27 June 2024 (Thursday), attracted more than 100 participants, bringing together industry leaders, professionals, alumni, staff and students to celebrate the launch of this groundbreaking initiative. The ceremony was kicked off by a welcome address by Prof. Chi Sun Poon, Head of CEE and Director of RCDfS, follow
3 Jul 2024

We are pleased to announce that Prof. CS Poon (Director of RCDfS and Head of CEE) served as the judging panel for the "Design for Safety Excellence Award 2025". The competition honors outstanding achievements in safety design and innovation. Awards were presented during the "HKIE Safety Specialist Committee 30th Anniversary Dinner", celebrating the exceptional contributions of all participants. Thank you for promoting safety in our industry!
11 Jun 2025
