Safe practices to consider for the future

THE recent landslide in Penang shows that there are a lot of opportunities for improvement. No doubt landslides do occur in areas where there is no construction but that is another issue altogether. I would like to propose some recommendations to the state government which could prevent the occurrence of landslides in construction areas.

1. For any future tender for construction projects, the state government (customer) must specify that a comprehensive potential failure mode and effects analysis be done. The company bidding for the project must do a thorough brainstorming exercise to identify potential anomalies and failures that may occur, and provide preventive actions. For ongoing projects, the Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis could be used to review the existing regulations and procedures to ensure that they are still effective and adequate. And add new ones where appropriate.

2. Survey the area yourself. The people in charge of the future and ongoing construction projects must survey the area personally. Walk or at least drive around the area to see and have a better understanding of its geography. Do this especially during a heavy downfall. If this is too dangerous, perhaps cameras can be located at strategic areas. There is nothing like seeing a problem first-hand.

3. Assign a stakeholder from an NGO that is objective and does not have an axe to grind to sit in the state audit committees that are responsible for ensuring that the developers are continually complying with safety measures, safety regulations and environmental protection measures. We need to care about the one life as much as we care about our own.

LYNDON D. Ipoh