Dr Angela Yuen Hou Yee is a dynamic and forward-thinking Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) professional with over 30 years of diverse experience in construction, quasi-government organisations, and cutting-edge robotics. Renowned for influencing OSH policies and regulations through stakeholder consensus-building, she has successfully translated innovative ideas into practical solutions that drive sustainable safety outcomes. Her work with construction robotics has allowed her to collaborate closely with R&D experts, identifying pioneering methods to eliminate potential hazards at the source. She leads a consultancy firm integrating advanced technologies to enhance safety and sustainability in the built environment.

In 2024, Dr Angela Yuen Hou Yee achieved significant milestones in OSH. Her doctoral dissertation on mobile crane safety, which addressed critical risks and proposed innovative solutions, was permanently showcased by Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) as Outstanding Work by Students, with only 18 pieces selected university-wide. This research earned the Best Project Scholarship 2024 from the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) and the Runner-up Award in the Student Project Competition by the Safety Specialist Committee of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). While working with a construction robotics company, she collaborated with developers and regulators to address key industry risks. She led initiatives to reduce hazards in façade cleaning and water-tightness testing. These tasks traditionally required workers to operate in dangerous external conditions, by integrating robotic solutions to eliminate risks at the source. Additionally, she engaged with government bureaus to improve mobile crane safety practices, advocating for enhanced training programmes for workers and supervisors. Serving as an advisor for the Hong Kong Institute of Safety Practitioners (HKISP) and the Hong Kong Professional Hoisting Engineering Association (HKPHEA), she has continued to promote safety technology adoption, advancing the vision of zero harm across industries.

In 2024, Dr Angela implemented impactful Workplace Safety and Health initiatives that have driven substantial improvements in the broader construction industry. One key initiative was the development of Mobile Crane Safety Protocols, which drew directly from her doctoral research. These protocols introduced enhanced risk assessment frameworks and operational guidelines tailored to mobile crane operations. Additionally, she conducted safety workshops and delivered presentations at various seminars and events that brought together industry stakeholders. These workshops and presentations focused on integrating innovative technologies such as robotics into high-risk tasks. By demonstrating how technology could eliminate hazards at the source, the workshops empowered participants to adopt new safety measures and fostered a proactive safety culture. Furthermore, collaborating with a construction robotics company enabled her to introduce practical solutions for high-risk tasks such as facade cleaning and water-tightness testing, where workers traditionally faced hazardous conditions. These initiatives strengthened workplace safety culture and set new benchmarks for safety excellence, creating a lasting impact across the industry.

Dr Angela Yuen Hou Yee's ability to influence diverse stakeholders has been key to successfully implementing workplace safety initiatives. She has fostered a shared commitment to safety across industries through strategic communication, collaboration, and leadership. A notable example is her role in facilitating the adoption of robotics for high-risk construction tasks, such as façade cleaning and water-tightness testing. By presenting data-driven insights, demonstrating technological benefits, and aligning safety improvements with operational priorities, she secured buy-in from developers, contractors, and regulatory bodies, ensuring effective project implementation. Additionally, she leveraged her expertise in mobile crane safety to influence practices beyond construction. Providing consultancy services to sectors such as transportation and lifting companies, including those handling aircraft engine transportation, Dr Angela advocated for improved safety protocols and addressing critical risks industry-wide. Her advisory roles with professional bodies, such as the Hong Kong Institute of Safety Practitioners (HKISP), have further amplified her influence, enabling her to promote industry-wide improvements and drive safety innovation. This ability to engage and inspire stakeholders has been instrumental in advancing safety practices, fostering collaboration, and driving sustainable change across industries.

One of Dr Angela Yuen Hou Yee notable achievement was co-leading Construction Safety Week (CSW) from 2012 to 2020 with the Development Bureau and CIC, during which they achieved two Guinness World Records. She also launched the “Life First” campaign, which has been annually held at construction sites across Hong Kong. This campaign has fostered a culture of accountability and significantly reduced workplace incidents, underscoring its lasting importance in raising safety awareness and promoting proactive measures. Her research on mobile crane safety has started to influence industry practices. Key recommendations, such as enhanced risk assessments, improved communication protocols, and updated worker and supervisor training, are being considered for adoption. Government officials are also planning to make mandatory training for lifting supervisors a requirement in new project tenders. Additionally, she has promoted innovative technologies, such as robotics, to eliminate hazards at the source in high-risk tasks. Through workshops and seminars, she has equipped stakeholders with practical tools to prioritise safety and operational efficiency. These initiatives go beyond traditional safety practices, inspiring a commitment to safety excellence, sustainability, and innovation across industries.

A safety influencer embodies vision, leadership, collaboration, and innovation, inspiring change through proactive engagement, evidence-based decisions, and a commitment to safety excellence. She has demonstrated these attributes throughout her career by driving transformative initiatives that align safety goals with industry needs. For example, she introduced robotics to address high-risk construction tasks, such as facade cleaning and water-tightness testing, effectively eliminating hazards at the source. In collaboration with R&D experts, developers, contractors, and regulators, she successfully influenced the adoption of these innovative solutions. Her doctoral research on mobile crane safety reflects her ability to lead change through data-driven strategies. She engaged government officials and industry stakeholders to advocate for enhanced training and improved safety protocols, directly addressing critical risks. Her advisory roles with professional OSH bodies have further allowed her to amplify safety standards across industries, promoting innovation and long-term sustainability. These efforts showcase her ability to inspire collaboration, adopt forward-thinking approaches, and foster a culture of accountability.