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The motion placed before this council will of course be supported by the Government Members. But I urge Members to face the challenge and provide the support the Administration needs to introduce measures which although they might not be popular, are ultimately necessary if we are to keep Hong Kong traffic moving.
End/Wednesday, February 15, 1995
Builders' Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Bill
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, in moving the second reading of the Builders' Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President.
I move the Second Reading of the Builders' Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Bill and Builders' Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety)(Fees) Regulations. The Bill provides for the introduction of the statutory regulation of the design, construction, installation, examination, operation and maintenance of builders' lifts and tower working platforms.
The tragic deaths of 12 workers in June 1993 made it clear that existing legislation does not adequately control the use of these installations. Subsequent inspections of builders' lifts revealed a disturbingly low level of maintenance and that there was an urgent need for vigorous action to control all aspects of their use.
The operation, maintenance and examination of builders' lifts (passenger hoists) are now subject to the control of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations made under the Factories and Industries Undertakings Ordinance (Cap 59) and are under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner for Labour. The current legislation requires the building contractor to employ a competent examiner to examine the builders' lift after erection and at regular intervals of 6 months. The contractor is also required to employ a competent person to regularly inspect the builders' lift.
To adequately control the use of these installations it was decided to introduce a completely new ordinance. This Bill makes provision not only for approval of the design of builders' lifts and tower working platforms but includes for the registration of contractors who supply, install, maintain and remove them and for the registration of those who examine and certify fitness for use.