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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, in the Legislative Council today (May 11):
Question:
Some members of the public have relayed to me that while trampolining has become popular in Hong Kong in recent years, the venues for playing trampolines (commonly known as "trampoline parks") are not subject to any regulation. Some trampoline coaches have pointed out that as there is always a lack of safety awareness among trampoline players, the number of cases in which members of the public sustained injuries while trampolining ("trampoline injury cases") has risen incessantly in recent years. For example, subsequent to the commencement of operation of a trampoline park in North Point in July 2014, the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, situated in the vicinity of that trampoline park, received eight trampoline injury cases within less than two months between late July and early September of the same year and, among such cases, the person injured in the most serious case suffered from spinal fracture and needed to use an orthosis. Another trampoline park in Kowloon Bay was open for business in July last year, and the United Christian Hospital, situated in the vicinity of that trampoline park, received 16 trampoline injury cases between July and December of the same year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows the number of trampoline injury cases received by public hospitals each year since January 2014;
(2) whether business operators are required to apply for any specific licence for operating trampoline parks; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) whether it knows the current number of coaches in Hong Kong who have obtained trampolining coaching certificates awarded by institutions accredited by the Government; whether the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has issued guidelines to such coaches to ensure that trampoline players are given proper safety instructions, thereby minimising the risk of their sustaining injuries; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) given that a number of trampoline injury cases have happened, whether the authorities have reviewed the safety requirements for trampoline parks; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether they will require that a staff member holding a certificate of competency in first aid must be stationed at a trampoline park so as to ensure that injured persons may receive first aid treatment on the spot in case of an accident; and
(5) given that trampolining involves public safety and that in the United Kingdom, trampoline park operators are required to obtain relevant licences and comply with the relevant requirements, whether the Government will follow the practices of the United Kingdom and enact legislation to regulate matters relating to the operation of trampoline parks so as to safeguard the safety of consumers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the Hon Chan Hak-kan's question is as follows:
(1) The Hospital Authority does not maintain any figures of trampoline injury cases.
(2) to (5) Trampoline is a sports device. Currently there is no licencing or regulatory requirement specifically for trampolining activities. That said, if the actual circumstances and mode of operation of a trampoline park involve "entertainment" as defined in the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance (Cap 172) (the Ordinance), and if such place is open to public (whether a fee is charged or not), its operator must apply to the licensing authority for a Places of Public Entertainment (PPE) licence in accordance with the Ordinance. The definition of "entertainment" under the Ordinance includes sporting exhibition or contest.
According to the Ordinance, the Secretary for Home Affairs is the licensing authority. He has authorised the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene to execute the licensing procedures. Given that the Ordinance is to ensure public safety and order, covering fire safety, building safety, electrical and mechanical equipment, ventilation, crowd management and hygiene, at places of entertainment where members of the public gather together, all PPEs must comply with the requirements set by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and other relevant departments, such as the Fire Services Department, the Buildings Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force.
The Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, China is the national sports association that promotes local trampolining and trains trampolining instructors. It provides the latest information of registered trampolining coaches and trampolining guidelines. Organisers or operators of trampolining can make reference to the guidelines provided by the Association, and engage qualified instructors to provide guidance to trampoline users as necessary. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department currently does not organise any trampolining training courses or arrange any such activities.
Whether regulatory or licensing regime should be set up for a specific sporting or entertainment activity involves a number of considerations. There should be careful evaluation on social needs and the pros and cons before any conclusion could be made by the Government. We will keep in view the development of trampolining and the operation of such activities in Hong Kong, and take follow up action as necessary.
Ends/Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:51
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