SPOTLIGHT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AFTER CRANE DEATH
THE incident on Tuesday — where an Indonesian construction worker was killed and three other migrant workers were injured after being hit by a falling construction crane in Shah Alam — has again raised concerns about safety in construction sites.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health supports the Selangor Department of Occupational Safety and Health’s (DOSH) action to issue a stop-work order on the construction site in Section 7 to facilitate an investigation.
The department’s preliminary investigation found failure in the structure of the machine and is carrying out further investigation.
Construction crane operators must be certified competent by DOSH, while companies operating cranes must register with DOSH.
The authorities must ensure that only certified crane operators are employed by contractors, while site officers must check on cranes daily.
The authorities must monitor and enforce laws and regulations under the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994.
The Construction Industry Development Board should investigate the latest incident and the public should be informed of the findings.
Action must be taken against crane operators who fail to operate cranes safely. Safety in construction sites must never be compromised.
Based on OSHA 1994, the main contractor, as the employer, is responsible for ensuring the safe use of the tower crane in construction sites.
The Factories and Machinery Act 1967 requires the tower crane to be installed, maintained and dismantled by a competent company
that is registered with DOSH.
The company has to be appointed by the main contractor to carry out periodical maintenance of the crane.
Anyone found violating the order could be charged under the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 and face a fine of not more
than RM200,000, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if found guilty. Public confidence in crane operations in construction sites must be addressed before more accidents occur.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Chairman, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health