Skylift suspected to be cause of ECRL structure collapse

• Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad: "We want a fair investigation for all parties. That is why we stopped the work first and issued a work prohibition notice to the contractor.”

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): The collapse of a temporary construction structure of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in Batu Caves on Tuesday is believed to have been caused by a collision with the boom of a skylift used for paint thickness inspection.

The high-risk work was also found to have been carried out without a written work permit from the main contractor of the project.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the findings were obtained from the initial investigation by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), and strict action including the issuance of a work prohibition notice had been taken against the contractor involved.

"We want a fair investigation for all parties. That is why we stopped the work first and issued a work prohibition notice to the contractor. Many investigations need to be carried out before we can determine the real cause," he told reporters when inspecting the location of the incident on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, driver P Gogilavani, 44, had a fright of her life when her car was crushed by a temporary construction structure of the ECRL project at the MRR2 near the Gombak Toll Plaza at about 1.47pm.

According to Abdul Rahman, initial information indicated that the incident was most likely related to the movement of the skylift, but a thorough investigation with the Public Works Department (PWD) and DOSH is still needed to confirm the exact cause.

The investigation is conducted in accordance with Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, including examining the design of the temporary protective structure at the location.

He said there were two other similar temporary construction structures in the nearby area, and all work in the zone concerned had been stopped immediately until safety was confirmed.

“I have instructed the PWD and DOSH to simultaneously look at all similar work structures. If it is true that it involves a skylift, we will look into that aspect. If not, we have to find the exact cause,” he said.

The skylift driver will also be called in to assist in the investigation, while safety enforcement officers will ensure that all licensees and machinery operators comply with the strict requirements set by the PWD.

At the same time, Abdul Rahman stressed that safety aspects at all project sites—especially near high-risk public routes—will continue to be tightened.

“We emphasise that the safety of workers and the public must be given priority. At Kesuma (the Ministry of Human Resources), there is no compromise. Even if it is a small case, we still take action,” he said, while informing that a large-scale safety operation will be carried out in the near future, including inspections of skylift operations at construction sites nationwide.

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