Government suspends Shineford Engineering's registration

It will take effect on May 1.

According to a report, Shineford Engineering Limited’s registration as a lift contractor has been suspended for six months with effect from May 1, following a lift incident in North Point on March 2 in which seven passengers were injured.

Deputy Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services (Regulatory Services) Alfred Sit told a press briefing today the suspension could not come into immediate effect as the 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.

Upon serving the suspension notice to Shineford, the department informed all people responsible for lifts Shineford maintains about the decision, and offered assistance.

The department has also liaised with the 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, Mr Sit said.

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 $200,000 fine and 12 months in prison.

“There is also an arrangement for the department to permanently deregister the registration of the lift contractor,” Mr Sit noted.