XN000022-1987-04-16 — Page 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1987

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NEW LIFT AND ESCALATOR SAFETY MEASURES PROPOSED

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND UPGRADE THE MAINTENANCE STANDARD OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1987 WAS ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 7 AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE LIFT AND ESCALATOR CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION. IT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 6,

1987.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE BILL DEALS WITH THE REGISTRATION OF PREVENTION LIFT AND ESCALATOR ENGINEERS, REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS OF UNAUTHORISED INTERFERENCE WITH LIFTS OR ESCALATORS, COMPETENCY OF LIFT AND ESCALATOR WORKERS, AND EXTENDS THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE TO COVER THE CONTROL OF PASSENGER CONVEYORS AND SERVICE LIFTS IN NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

FEES TO ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATION TO RECOVER COSTS OF SERVICES UNDER THE AMENDED ORDINANCE ARE SPECIFIED IN THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (FEES) REGULATIONS 1987. THE FEES HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCH.

BOARDS PAY $4.82 MILLION INJURIES COMPENSATION

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THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION (CLEIC) BOARDS LAST YEAR PAID OUT $4.82 MILLION IN COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS, ACCORDING TO THE BOARDS' 1985-86 ANNUAL REPORT.

THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 13.4 PER CENT OVER COMPENSATION PAYMENTS OF $4.25 MILLION IN THE PRECEDING YEAR. THESE PAYMENTS WERE GIVEN TO 822 CRIMINAL INJURIES CASES AND FOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

THE AMOUNT OF CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 87 PER CENT OR $4.21 MILLION OF THE TOTAL AWARDS DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW.

IT ALSO BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS AWARDED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE CLEIC SCHEME IN 1973 TO $26.85 MILLION.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS, MR MARTIN LEE, SAID THAT THE PUBLIC'S INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE SCHEME AND AN INCREASE IN THE CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION RATES BY 6.8 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1986 HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGHER PAY OUT.

/MR LEE