EMSD brings prosecutions regarding Langham Place escalator incident
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On March 25 this year, an escalator at Langham Place stopped suddenly and reversed its operation direction, causing injuries to 18 passengers. With the assistance of independent experts, the EMSD completed a technical investigation in May and concluded that the incident was caused by a double failure of the main drive chain and the broken-drive-chain device. The latter is installed for monitoring breakage and excessive elongation of the main drive chain. The double failure led to the inactivation of the auxiliary brake for stopping the escalator concerned.
The subsequent criminal investigation carried out by the EMSD revealed that the registered escalator contractor, a registered escalator engineer and a registered escalator worker failed to carry out their statutory duties under the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance Cap. 618. After seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the EMSD has decided to bring prosecutions against them on the following charges:
Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited
(i) for failing to ensure that the escalator works that it undertook, that is, periodic maintenance of the escalator, were carried out properly, contravening section 47(1)(a) of the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance, Cap. 618.
The registered escalator engineer
(i) for failing to ensure the escalator which he undertook to examine, was thoroughly examined, contravening section 54(1) of the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance, Cap. 618.
(ii) for failing to ensure the associated equipment and machinery of the escalator which he undertook to examine, was thoroughly examined, contravening section 54(2) of the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance, Cap. 618.
The registered escalator worker
(i) for failing to ensure that the escalator works that he engaged in, that is, periodic maintenance of the escalator, were carried out properly, contravening section 49(1)(a) of the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance, Cap. 618.
Summonses have been served to Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited and the related personnel stated above. The case will be heard in Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on October 27.
The EMSD released on June 9 the findings of the technical investigation regarding the escalator incident at Langham Place. The investigation report is available at the EMSD's website:
www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/publications/general_report/index.html.
Ends/Friday, September 22, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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