KUALA LUMPUR: All parties involved in infrastructure and construction, including enforcers, must “feel and be responsible” about preventing worksite accidents, said Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) honorary secretary Abdul Halim Suhor.

“It is essential that proper training for workers on safety at the worksite is provided and taken seriously by employers,” he said in a statement on Aug 20.

“Those involved in the infrastructure and construction sectors must train more qualified safety officers and supervisors. More frequent enforcement is required by the local authorities and related agencies such as the Construction Industry Development Board and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.”

Citing the recent mass rapid transit (MRT) worksite mishap at Kota Damansara in Petaling Jaya, the institute said while investigations are underway, the causes of accidents at construction sites are  indifference towards safety, insufficient qualified people such as safety officers, and lack of enforcement.

On Monday, a 300-tonne concrete span collapsed at the worksite and killed three Bangladeshi workers, leading to the resignation of MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid.


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on August 22, 2014.

 

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