Registered lift contractor fined for lift incident

A registered lift contractor, ThyssenKrupp Elevator (HK) Limited, was fined $5,000 at Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts today (September 30) for contravening the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance, Cap. 327 ("the Ordinance"), a spokesman for Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) said today.

The case involved a lift falling incident at Shin Nga House, Fu Shin Estate, Tai Po, on October 25 last year. The incident was caused by failure of the counterweight pulley bearing, which led to dislodgement of all eight suspension ropes from the counterweight, and eventually breakage of seven of the eight suspension ropes.  

Following the incident, the EMSD submitted investigation findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Department of Justice, for advice. The defendant was later summonsed for the following two offences:

(i) failure to carry out maintenance and repair of the lift works, contravening s.11J(1)(d) of the Ordinance; and

(ii) failure to supervise the carrying out of the maintenance and repair of the lift, contravening s.11J(1)(b) of the Ordinance.

After the defendant had pleaded guilty to the first summons, the prosecution offered no evidence for the second summons which was dismissed accordingly .

"EMSD attaches great importance to the safety of lifts and will continue to vigorously enforce the law to ensure that the public can enjoy safe and reliable lift service," the spokesman said.
    
The investigation report of the Fu Shin Estate lift incident can be viewed on the EMSD's website: (http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pps/le_pub.shtml).


Ends/Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:02

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