The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is investigating a rope breakage lift incident that happened on December 1 at Golden Industrial Building in Kwai Chung.

     The department received a report from Fujitec (HK) Co., Ltd. on December 1 about a rope breakage incident at Lift No. 5 of Golden Industrial Building Block 2.

     The EMSD's preliminary findings revealed that the lift car was stuck in the liftway.  As the drive sheave was still revolving,  four suspension ropes of the lift were finally broken. The safety gear was activated to hold the lift car at about 8/F. No casualty was reported. The lift has ceased operation immediately.

     Fujitec (HK) Co., Ltd. is the lift supplier and the maintenance contractor. The company conducted the last annual examination on November 14, 2022.

     The incident lift was manufactured in 1982 and has not been equipped with an obstruction switch which can prevent the suspension ropes and sheave from excessive wear if the movement of the car or counterweight is being hindered.  It is one of the seven item recommended by the EMSD for modernisation of lifts. The EMSD appeals to responsible persons of aged lifts to modernise their lifts and install obstruction switches as soon as possible.

     To ensure public safety, the EMSD has conducted safety checks on all the other nine Fujitec lifts at the building and all of them were in safe operation condition.

     The EMSD will continue to investigate the cause of the incident. The maintenance contractor is required to submit an incident report to EMSD within seven working days (before December 12).

Ends/Saturday, December 3, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:50

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