Workers at risk12 Jan 2007

Editorial: Workers at risk12 Jan 2007
IN 2001, the Human Resources Ministry made the confident proclamation that by 2003, at the latest, the nation’s construction sector would achieve a zero worksite-accident rate. Unfortunately, this was not achieved.And now, more than three years later, that coveted target remains just as elusive. Last year, 17 people died in accidents on construction sites in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya alone. Among them was management consultant Liew Boon Horng, killed when a steel mould fell 20 storeys onto his car. The only good that came out of this death was that it galvanised the authorities into action against the developer and contractor of the apartment project. More stringent measures — placing the onus of ensuring work-site safety on contractors and giving the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) more teeth — were also speedily introduced.Many optimistically thought the Liew case would finally get things moving in the direction of fewer work-site accidents and deaths. But then, as always, the storm passed, and despite the new rules that has been introduced and the greater awareness that have been created of worksite dangers, not enough has since changed. Occupational safety is still not quite the imperative it ought to be in the minds of contractors, work-site managers or, for that matter, workers. This week in Kuala Lumpur, two men died and several were injured when a gondola plunged 15 metres to the ground at the construction site of a condominium and shopping complex.Despite the warnings, stop-work orders, fines, blacklisting and legal action following accidental deaths, the number of worksite accidents remains astoundingly high, even if figures are declining annually. The authorities can enact and enforce laws, but it is those actually at the site of potential accidents who are best placed to help prevent mishaps or deaths. Hence, the government has rightly put the onus on main and sub-contractors. They must bear the burden of maintaining worksite safety or suffer grave consequences to business and reputation. There is urgent need for the construction industry to be more sensitive to demands for safety. It is not enough to impose fines of RM1 or RM2 on workers who do not wear safety gear at worksites. Above all, occupational safety should not be seen as a profit-sapping expense in the management of industries but as a productivity-booster. At the same time, DOSH must come down hard on the erring parties now that it has more power to act against them.

Two die as gondola plunges to the ground

Two die as gondola plunges to the ground
11 Jan 2007

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the "lift" was also piled with marble tiles which added a lot of weight to it.

When people will learned... that lives is more important than time and schedule?

KUALA LUMPUR: Two men lost their lives at a construction site when a gondola carrying workers and construction materials plunged 15 metres to the ground.

Six workers are fighting for their lives at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital while four were admitted with fractured limbs. All 10 are from India.

Malaysian Liew Wan Chew, 52, and Hram Uk, 35, a Myanmar, died on the spot at the building site of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, a posh condominium and shopping complex.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, who visited the site, said he was unhappy with the spate of tragedies at construction sites and warned of stern action if there was negligence.

"I will not compromise on safety at construction sites.

"I have repeatedly said that safety of workers and public must be given top priority to avert tragedies. This is the second time this has happened at this site," he said.

City police deputy chief Senior Assistant Commissioner (I) Zulhasnan Najib Baharuddin said both men died on the spot after concrete slabs crushed their heads.

Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Muhammad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said in the 12pm incident, the gondola leaned to one side, believed to be due to overloading, before the cable snapped plunging it to the ground.

Liew’s son Wei Lun said his father had complained that the "lift had defects" and there had been several near misses.

"I did not expect to lose him this way," he said, adding that his father has been working as a construction worker for more than 10 years.

Hram’s cousin, identified only as Steven, said his cousin came to work in Malaysia two years ago with the hope of making enough money to send to back to his family so that they could enjoy a better life.

One injured worker Ramphal Singh, 22, who fractured his arm, said he was thankful to be alive.

He said he managed to jump clear just before scaffolding hit the ground.

"I am returning to India when I recover. I am not going to work here anymore," he said.

Deep Singh, 20, said the "lift" was also piled with marble tiles which added a lot of weight to it.

He had injuries to his body and leg and hoped to return to work when he recovers.

Department of Occupational Safety and Health Director-General Zainuddin Abdullah who was at the site with his team of officers issued an immediate stop-work order.

Pavilion KL executive director Y.S. Liew said the workers were from Usaha Tiga Sdn Bhd, one of the 60 sub-contractors working at the construction site. Urusharta Cemerlang Sdn Bhd is the Pavillion KL owner.



Lesson learnt
overloaded gondola