Lift contractor and engineer prosecuted for Heng On Estate lift incident

Prosecution had been brought against registered lift contractor Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited and a registered lift engineer over a lift incident at Heng On Estate, Ma On Shan, a spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) said today (July 7).

Following the incident on January 11 at Heng Shan House of Heng On Estate, the EMSD submitted the investigation findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Department of Justice. 

The Judiciary today served summonses on Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited and the lift engineer who were responsible for the maintenance and examination of the lift involved in the incident, under the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance Cap.327, for the following contraventions:

- Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited for failing to carry out maintenance and examination of the lift works in accordance with the provisions of the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance, contravening S.11J(1)(d), Cap.327

- the registered lift engineer for failing to examine the lift in accordance with the Lifts and Escalators (Safety) Ordinance, contravening S.11A(1)(b), Cap.327.

An EMSD spokesman said that any person who committed any of these offences faced a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment of six months.  The case will be heard in Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts on August 3.

The EMSD released the technical investigation findings of the lift incident on February 10. The investigation report can be viewed on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk).
     
The spokesman said the department would continue to closely monitor the performance of registered lift contractors and lift engineers, and take appropriate regulatory actions to ensure lift safety.


Ends/Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:55

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