Ensuring safer work sites

Star: PUTRAJAYA: Construction companies issued with three successive stop-work orders will automatically face prosecution.
Hauling errant builders to court is among the measures the Government is taking to ensure worksite safety, especially at high-rise constructions, to prevent a recurrence of the incident last Friday that cost the life of management consultant Dr Liew Boon-Horng.
The Human Resources Ministry will also recommend that the local authorities suspend their construction licences pending the court’s decision.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said a construction firm could also face action on its first stop-work order if the offence was a serious infringement.

Other measures the Government is taking include:
# SETTING up a forensic engineering unit within the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to provide expertise pertaining to building materials such as concrete and metals, to aid investigation and prosecution;
# THE enactment of a regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 to make it compulsory for construction sites in congested areas to implement the Occupational Safety and Health Management System. The companies have six months from now to comply with this regulation; and
# RE-EXAMINING existing laws such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act with a view to giving it more “bite” and to update the Act to make it relevant to present construction practices.

Last Friday, an iron mould fell from the 20th floor of the Plaza Damas service apartments project in Sri Hartamas and landed on a car below, killing Dr Liew, one of the country’s brightest young corporate figures, and injuring his wife and driver.
Dr Fong said that all construction sites within city centres have been directed to immediately carry out an identification, assessment and control of hazards exercise on their premises.
“This includes the analysis of their work environment and keeping proper records of safety practices as well as ensuring that all apparatus are stored properly the night before,” he told reporters after the weekly post-Cabinet meeting here yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has ordered that work on the Plaza Damas service apartments be suspended immediately and indefinitely.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told newsmen that the Government had also ordered an investigation into Dr Liew’s death, which the Cabinet meeting discussed yesterday.
He said the Construction Industry Development Board would be tasked with the probe and to come up with a report fast.
If the report indicates “criminal liability or negligence”, the matter would be forwarded to the Attorney-General's Chambers for action, he said.
“The report can be used as a reference for other projects in the future,” he added.