Regarding the registered escalator contractor Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited (Otis Elevator) being fined by the Court for contravening the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance (Cap 618) in the escalator incident at Langham Place in Mong Kok in March last year, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (March 9) has the following response:

     The EMSD completed the technical investigation in May last year and concluded that the incident was caused by the breakage of the main drive chain and the failure of broken chain safety device which was used in monitoring breakage and excessive elongation of the main drive chain. Such double failure had ultimately led to the inactivation of auxiliary brake for stopping the escalator. The detailed investigation carried out by the EMSD revealed that Otis Elevator, being the maintenance contractor of the escalator concerned, failed to ensure the work were being carried out properly as stipulated in the relevant provisions under the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance and therefore, the EMSD decided to bring prosecution against the company.

     The EMSD welcomed the Court's decision and will commence disciplinary action against Otis Elevator regarding the incident. The EMSD has also stepped up inspections for escalators with vertical rise equal to or exceeding 15 metres and issued a circular to all registered escalator contractors and registered escalator engineers, urging them to ensure the good operating conditions of the escalators in strict accordance with the Code of Practice for Lift Works and Escalator Works and prevent reoccurrence of similar incident. The EMSD will continue to strictly enforce relevant legislation and called on members of the trade and persons responsible for escalators to cooperate in ensuring safe and reliable escalator services to the public.

     Section 47 (1) (a) of the Lifts and Escalators Ordinance stipulates that a registered escalator contractor who undertakes any escalator works must ensure that the works are carried out properly and safely. Any registered contractor contravening the aforementioned requirement is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 12 months.

Ends/Friday, March 9, 2018
Issued at HKT 21:18

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