The Development Bureau has proposed amending the Lifts & Escalators (Safety) Ordinance to enhance the regulatory framework on elevator safety, and launched a three-month public consultation on its proposals.

The bureau said today a comprehensive review of the law has been conducted to examine the operational efficiency of enforcement and the control of maintenance, after a spate of lift incidents last year.

Major amendment proposals include upgrading the qualification requirements of lift and escalator engineers, introducing a registration system for the industry's workers, and raising penalties for safety offences.

To cope with the advancement in lift and escalator technology, it proposes adopting a registration prerequisite qualification of registered professional engineer with at least two years' working experience.

A workers registration system will recognise competence and promote continuous self-development to achieve better control of workmanship and to institute sanctions against improper and unsafe practices in performing lift and escalator work.

The bureau proposes raising penalties to a $200,000 fine and 12 months' jail.

The consultation paper also covers the review of the regulatory regime for public housing estates and government buildings, and the streamlining of regulatory processes to enhance administrative efficiency.

Click here for the consultation paper and send views to the Lifts & Escalators Sub-Division, Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong, or via email or fax (2504 5970) by February 28.