Registered lift contractor prosecuted for lift incident

Prosecution has been brought against registered lift contractor ThyssenKrupp Elevator (HK) Limited for the lift incident at Fu Shin Estate, Tai Po, a spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) said today (April 28).

Following a lift incident on October 25, 2008, at Shin Nga House, Fu Shin Estate, Tai Po, the EMSD submitted the investigation findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Department of Justice, for consideration. 

The Judiciary yesterday served two summonses to ThyssenKrupp Elevator (HK) Limited, which was responsible for the maintenance of the lift involved in the incident, under the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance Cap.327 for the following contraventions:

- failed to supervise the carrying out of the maintenance and repair of the lift, contravening S.11J(1)(b), Cap.327; and
- failed to carry out maintenance and repair of the lift works in accordance with the provisions of the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance, contravening S.11J(1)(d), Cap.327.


An EMSD spokesman said that any person who commits any of the above offences shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment of six months.  The case will be heard in Shatin Magistrates' Courts on June 1.

The EMSD released the technical investigation findings of the lift incident at Fu Shin Estate on December 5 last year.  The investigation report can be viewed on the EMSD's website: (www.emsd.gov.hk).
     
By March 30 this year, the EMSD has completed the audit inspection on all the 1,404 lift installations in the 39 estates under the Tenant Purchase Scheme. The lifts were found to be safe.

The EMSD spokesman emphasised that the department will continue to conduct audit inspections on lifts in accordance with the established risk-based principle to ensure lift safety.

Ends/Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:10

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