THE Government is looking to tighten controls over passenger hoists on building sites and may introduce a licensing system to regulate the area.
Secretary for Education and Manpower Michael Leung Man-kin said a Works Branch working group would review safety practices and produce recommendations in six months.
Twelve workers inside a passenger hoist were killed last month when it plunged 17 floors, prompting a review of the changing safety needs of construction sites.
Mr Leung said the current practice in Hongkong and overseas made the contractor responsible for the safety of passenger lifts rather than the Government.
''But arising from the latest accident in Java Road, we are prepared to reconsider the control of passenger hoists in Hongkong by the working group.
''The working group will consider the question of the possible transfer of responsibility of control from the contractor itself to possibly a government department.'' He said a code of practice would also be prepared with a view to rationalising standards in the construction, maintenance and testing of these lifts.