DOSH should probe lift

I REFER to the report on the worker crushed to death by a faulty service elevator in a restaurant in Penang, “Delivery boy Shahrukh Khan dies after being crushed between lift doors in George Town” ( TheStarOnline, Sept 23).

The police and the Fire and Rescue Department were at the scene and it was reported that preliminary investigations showed “there was no foul play involved and the case has been classified as sudden death.”

Does this mean an “act of God” and that no further action would be taken? I certainly hope not! The Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH) is authorised under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 to conduct detailed investigations on the failure of lifting and hoisting equipment at the workplace.

The investigations cover the design, construction, routine inspection and maintenance standard operating practices according to the engineering standards, codes and technical specifications for lifting and hoisting equipment.

Last month, an ammonia gas leak from pressurised equipment at an ice-making factory in Shah Alam resulted in the death of two workers.

Reports by DOSH on the above workplace fatalities would be enlightening to prevent and/or reduce such occurrences.

LEO PAUL Malaysian Welding & Joining Society Klang