TNAG-1724-FCO40-2437-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 316

Mcinows to prevent accidents a escuetiprs

اما.

Reply by Hon. G. Barnes, CBE, JP, Secretary for

Lands & Works, to question by Professer Ben. C.K. Poon at Legislative Council on 20 January 1988

5. PROF. POON asked:

Question:

In view of a recent accident at the Hung Hom Railway Station which caused injuries to seven people when an ascending escalator suddenly went into reverse, will Government inform this Council what measures will be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents, bearing in mind the large number of commuters using escalators during rush hours?

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS:

sir,

R

and

The Electrical & Mechanical Services

Department is still investigating this unfortunate

accident. The direct cause of the accident seems fairly

clear. In simple terms the braking system failed after an

emergency stop button was apparently pressed by someone

unknown, and the escalator rolled backwards under the

weight of the passengers. The injuries occured because, although the escalator was descending slowly and stopped

after reversing about ten steps, the persons on the lower steps were carried back into the oncoming passengers. The investigation into why or how the braking system failed is

continuing and may last several weeks more.

10

In the meantime all escalators of the same

model have been checked by the registered escalator contractor responsible for maintaining them, who is the sole supplier of this model, and have been found to be in safe working order. He will continue weekly inspections

on brakes of all these installations pending the outcome

of the investigation.

Also, a circular letter has been sent by the

and Director of Electrical Mechanical Services to all

registered escalator contractors and engineers reminding

them of the importance of proper brake maintenance.