Videos circulated on 3 October showed workers using ropes to haul a large split-type air-conditioner from street level towards an awning at Kai Yin Mansion, near the junction of Nelson Street and Sai Yee Street in Mong Kok. The footage did not give the exact date or time of the lift.
The unit swung while suspended outside the building, above the road and footpath, as workers on the awning and at ground level pulled it upwards. Pedestrians kept away, but the camera angle did not clearly show whether barriers or warning signs were in place, or whether anyone was controlling access.
The workers eventually pulled the unit onto the awning platform.
Safety guidance from the Labour Department says lifting work should assess the load’s weight, select suitable rigging and equipment, and take account of its centre of gravity and balance. Where the relevant lifting rules apply, a load being raised or lowered must be securely supported and fixed to prevent movement that could endanger people or property.
The Buildings Department says air-conditioner support works may fall under small-works controls, depending on factors including the bracket’s position, height, projection and the unit’s weight. Some such works may need to be carried out by a qualified registered contractor. It also says support-bracket works that meet specified conditions, even when classified as exempt works, must not project over a street or common parts of a building, or obstruct or endanger pedestrians.