Hong Kong Regulations

CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 31

Safety of hoistways, platforms and cages

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

PART IV

SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS TO HOISTS

(1) The contractor responsible for a hoist and any contractor who has
direct control over any construction work which involves the use of the hoist
shall ensure that it is not used unless- (L.N. 258 of 2003)

   (a)  the hoistway of the hoist is, at all points at which access to the
        hoistway is provided or at which persons are in danger of being struck
        by a moving part of the hoist, efficiently protected by a substantial
        enclosure;

   (b)  the enclosure is, where access to and egress from the hoist is
        required, fitted with secure gates;

   (c)  the enclosure and gates where practicable extend to a height of at
        least 2 metres unless a lower height (being not less than 900
        millimetres) is sufficient to prevent a person from falling down the
        hoistway and there is no risk of any person coming into contact with
        any moving part of the hoist; and (L.N. 238 of 1983)

   (d)  the gates are kept closed, except where the platform or cage is at
        rest at a landing place and it is for the time being necessary for the
        gate to be opened for the purpose of loading or unloading goods,
        plant, or material. (L.N. 552 of 1995)

(2) Every person using a hoist shall ensure that the gate is closed
immediately after use unless it is for the time being necessary to keep the
gate open in accordance with paragraph (1)(d).

(3) The contractor responsible for a hoist and any contractor who has
direct control over any construction work which involves the use of the hoist,
shall- (L.N. 258 of 2003)

   (a)  unless it is impracticable to do so, provide and maintain efficient
        devices which will support its platform or cage and its safe 
        working load in the event of the failure of the hoist rope or ropes or
        any of the hoisting gear; and

   (b)  provide and maintain one or more efficient automatic devices which
        will ensure that the platform or cage of the hoist does not pass the
        highest point to which it is designed to travel.