Leopards, bears and snakes spell danger for workers

Workers trying to blaze a trail through the rainforests of Brunei must watch out for leopards, sun bears, flying foxes and venomous snakes, not only for their own safety but also to safeguard the environment.

Employees from the joint venture formed by China State Construction Engineering Corp and a company in Brunei are building a viaduct across the rainforests and swamps of the Temburong district, part of the construction of a crosssea bridge linking mainland Brunei with this area.

The contractor and workers must conquer not only tough environmental conditions, but also meet the local authorities’ strict standards.

Jin Chunshang, a project manager with China State Construction Bridge Co, a subsidiary of CSCEC, said, “We need to strictly follow procedures approved by the authorities.”

Jin said projects in Brunei have adopted British construction standards, which has presented the Chinese contractor with challenges.

Brunei has had a so-called no-cut policy since the 1990s, leaving virgin forests on the island of Temburong virtually untouched.

“We need to get approval from the authorities even before we build portable houses for the workers,” Jin said.

Thick vegetation in the rainforests was also a problem, as the team had to use heavy machinery to provide access before workers could move in.

“We could only hire locals to do this job, because they are more adaptable to the environment and know how to protect themselves against bugs, mosquitoes and snakes,” Jin said.

Leong Yin Kwan, quality director for the project, spoke of the “proud work safety record” of 5 million hours without any casualties being reported among the workers.

“Here, everything is safety first, and we are constantly reminding the workers and their leaders to be aware of this,” she said.

Leong said the size of the project and its significance could put any accidents or errors under the spotlight, and that is why her team cannot afford to be complacent.

Leong, a Chinese Malaysian who has worked as a quality manager in Brunei for decades, said Chinese companies’ efficiency had impressed her.

“I need five times my usual energy levels to work on this project to catch up with the progress that is being made,” she said.