Deputy director of electrical and mechanical services (regulatory services) Alfred Sit said that the suspension could not come into immediate effect as building owners need time to arrange to have another registered lift contractor provide lift maintenance services.
He said the department is satisfied that Shineford contravened the Lifts & Escalators Ordinance by failing to ensure that the lift works at 480 King’s Road were carried out properly and safely.
A lift carrying seven passengers had dropped suddenly after it had reached the first floor from the ground floor.
The electrican and mechanical services department has informed all people responsible for lifts that Shineford maintains about the suspension and offered assistance.
The department has also liaised with lift trade associations and practitioners, and set up a hotline, 8108 2238, to provide information on service referrals and assistance to those affected, including the owners and the Shineford workers, said Sit.
The department will continue to investigate the North Point lift incident, and will not rule out taking further legal action against those found to have contravened the ordinance.
Under current legislation, the maximum penalty is a HK$200,000 (£17,000) fine and 12 months in prison.
“There is also an arrangement for the department to permanently deregister the registration of the lift contractor,” said Sit.
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