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Hong Kong energy firms should be fined if voltage dips leave people stuck in lifts: lawmakers
- Legislators call for shake-up after series of voltage dips in recent months resulted in hundreds of people becoming trapped in lifts
- ‘My latest suggestion is simply imposing a fine of HK$10,000 for each lift entrapment incident payable to the government,’ lawmaker Michael Tien says
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Hong Kong’s electricity firms should be fined for any voltage dips that result in people getting trapped in lifts, lawmakers have proposed as part of measures in response to a spate of incidents in recent months that had left hundreds in need of rescue.
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Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun said on Monday that the penalty system should be created to put pressure on CLP Power, after a high-voltage-equipment failure at Black Point Power Station in Tuen Mun caused a voltage dip last Saturday.
The incident left at least 152 people stuck in lifts and set off 16 fire alarms in Kowloon and the New Territories.
“We are now entering the rainy season where thunderstorms can occur daily. If [voltage dips] continue like this, a problem arises where there is no incentive to solve it if there are no penalties,” Tien told a radio programme.
“My latest suggestion is simply imposing a fine of HK$10,000 [US$1,280] for each lift entrapment incident payable to the government, with each person trapped in the lift receiving HK$1,000.”
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The legislator also argued that penalties should be applied regardless of whether such incidents were the result of human error or natural causes.
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