Contractor and owners of tower working platform at Tregunter Towers in Mid-levels convicted
******************************************************************************************
A spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) said, "We welcome the verdict of the court. We will continue to closely monitor the repair and maintenance works of contractors and owners of tower working platforms, and take strict regulatory measures to ensure tower working platform safety."
The court heard that on the day of the incident, the right section of a tower working platform installed at Tregunter Tower 3 detached from the central lifting section of the platform and fell from the 55/F to the ground, causing the deaths of two workers. The EMSD investigation revealed that the incident was caused by metal fatigue at the welds of the sleeves for the two bolts at the right section of the central lifting section, which resulted in the detachment. It also found that the contractor had not followed the proper procedures in carrying out inspection and maintenance, and the owners had failed to ensure that the platform was properly maintained.
According to the Builders' Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Ordinance, contractors of tower working platforms must ensure that all structural and mechanical components of the platforms are kept in a proper state of repair and the owners must ensure that the platforms are properly maintained. Any contractor or owner contravening this ordinance is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for 12 months upon each conviction.
Ends/Monday, January 16, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:15
Issued at HKT 15:15
NNNN