AN emergency braking system failed to operate when an overloaded construction site hoist plunged 17 floors, killing the 12 workers inside, it was revealed yesterday.
The Legislative Council's manpower panel heard that the hoist, British-made and leased to Aoki Corporation for use at the new Hongkong and China Gas operations centre in Quarry Bay, had been operating for six years when it plummeted to the ground on June2.
Deputy director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Tong Kin-wah told panel members: ''The fact that the lift had been used for six years might mean it was something to do with maintenance rather than design which caused the accident.'' The panel was told that the accident inquiry report would be submitted today for legal advice on possible prosecutions, and later to the Coroner's Court as evidence. But until then, it would not be made public.
Confirming the hoist had been overloaded, Mr Tong explained that this was not the only cause of the tragedy.
''A safety device or a stopping system should have worked on the overspeeding lift to stop it from plummeting,'' he said.
The Government, under pressure from panel members to take immediate action to guarantee workers' safety, said it would consider banning the model involved while completing spot checks around the territory's building sites.