### Lifts and Escalators Ordinance 《升降機及自動梯條例》

56. Issue etc. of use permits
(1) Subject to section 150, the Director may on application issue in respect of an escalator—
(a) a permit, in the specified form, permitting the escalator to be put into use and operation; or
(b) a permit, in the specified form, permitting the escalator to continue to be used and operated.
(2) The Director may refuse to issue a permit under subsection (1) if there is a contravention of section 143 in relation to the escalator.
(3) The Director must not issue a permit under subsection (1) unless the Director is satisfied that the escalator and all its associated equipment or machinery are in safe working order.
(4) If the Director decides to refuse an application or refuse to issue a permit under this section, the Director must as soon as reasonably practicable after making the decision notify in writing the applicant of—
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons for the decision; and
(c) (if applicable) the work that in the opinion of the Director is necessary to put the escalator or any of its associated equipment or machinery in safe working order.
(5) This section does not affect the general powers of the Director under sections 41 and 46 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 1).

57. Validity period of use permits
(1) A permit issued under section 56(1)(a) relating to an examination of an escalator—
(a) takes effect on the date specified by the Director; and
(b) expires on the last day of the 6-month period beginning on the date immediately after the date of completion of the examination.
(2) A permit issued under section 56(1)(b) relating to an examination of an escalator that was completed within the period of 2 months ending on the date of expiry of the preceding use permit of the escalator—
(a) takes effect on the date specified by the Director; and
(b) expires on the last day of the 6-month period beginning on the date immediately after the date of expiry of the preceding use permit.
(3) Any other permit issued under section 56(1)(b) relating to an examination of an escalator—
(a) takes effect on the date specified by the Director; and
(b) expires on the last day of the 6-month period beginning on the date immediately after the date of completion of the examination.

### Lifts and Escalators Ordinance 《升降機及自動梯條例》

58. Issue etc. of resumption permits
(1) Subject to section 150, the Director may on application issue in respect of an escalator a permit, in the specified form, permitting the use and operation of the escalator to be resumed after a major alteration is made in respect of the escalator.
(2) The Director may refuse to issue a permit under subsection (1) if there is a contravention of section 143 in relation to the escalator.
(3) The Director must not issue a permit under subsection (1) unless the Director is satisfied that the affected part of the escalator is in safe working order.
(4) If the Director decides to refuse an application or refuse to issue a permit under this section, the Director must as soon as reasonably practicable after making the decision notify in writing the applicant of—
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons for the decision; and
(c) (if applicable) the work that in the opinion of the Director is necessary to put the affected part of the escalator in safe working order.
(5) This section does not affect the general powers of the Director under sections 41 and 46 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 1).

59. Issue of duplicates of use permits and resumption permits
(1) If a permit issued under section 56 or 58 is lost, destroyed, defaced or damaged, subject to section 150, the Director may on application issue a duplicate permit to replace the original permit.
(2) A duplicate permit issued under subsection (1) has the same effect as the original permit and is to be treated as having been issued under the section under which the original permit was issued.
(3) On the issue of a duplicate permit, the original permit ceases to be valid.
(4) When making an application for a duplicate permit, the applicant must return the original permit to the Director if it is available to the applicant.
(5) The Director may refuse an application under this section if the applicant contravenes subsection (4).

### Lifts and Escalators Ordinance 《升降機及自動梯條例》

60. Prohibition orders
(1) The Director may by order served on the responsible person for an escalator prohibit the escalator from being used or operated, or continuing to be used or operated, if the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that—
(a) the escalator has been used or operated, or is or is likely to be used or operated, in contravention of section 43;
(b) the responsible person has contravened section 46(2)(b) or 53(1);
(c) the escalator if used or operated, or continued to be used or operated, will cause or be likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property;
(d) the escalator, or any of its associated equipment or machinery, is not in safe working order; or
(e) it is otherwise desirable to do so in the interest of safety.
(2) An order made under subsection (1)—
(a) must be in the specified form;
(b) must state—
(i) the reasons for making the order; and
(ii) the date on which the order is to take effect; and
(c) may contain any conditions the Director may reasonably impose.
(3) A person who uses or operates an escalator in contravention of an order made under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and to imprisonment for 12 months.
(4) A person who causes or permits any other person to use or operate an escalator in contravention of an order made under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and to imprisonment for 12 months.
(5) It is a defence for a person charged under subsection (3) to prove that the person did not know and could not with due diligence have discovered that the use or operation was prohibited under an order made under subsection (1).
(6) It is a defence for a person charged under subsection (4) to prove that—
(a) the person did not know and could not with due diligence have discovered that the use or operation was prohibited under an order made under subsection (1); or
(b) the contravention occurred without the person’s consent or connivance and that the person had taken all reasonable steps to prevent the use or operation of the escalator.
(7) Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply to the use or operation of an escalator in emergency circumstances affecting the safety of any person or property.
(8) Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply if the use or operation of the escalator is for the purposes of performing any function conferred or imposed on a person by or under this Ordinance, including complying with or giving effect to an order of the Director under this Ordinance.