Ramp collapse report ready soon
NewStraitsTimes Online, 4 July 2013
CLOSER WATCH NOW: Occupational safety dept to let ministry decide next move
BUTTERWORTH: THE investigations into the Second Penang Bridge ramp collapse by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is now in its final stages.
It's Penang director, Annuar Embi, said the investigation papers on the June 6 incident were expected to be ready within the week.
He said investigations into the collapse, which killed a passing car driver and wounded several others, went on smoothly.
Annuar said once the investigation papers were completed, it would submit them to the department's legal adviser and the Human Resources Ministry for review and further action.
"We will wait for instructions. If we are ordered to proceed with prosecution, then we will take this to court," he said after launching the 5th Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Seberang Jaya yesterday.
Asked if the papers would be made public, Anuar said it would be up to DOSH headquarters to decide.
"We are preparing investigations papers, not reports and this is not a public inquiry," he said, adding that the incident could also be considered as a criminal case under the Occupational Safety and Health 1994 Act.
He also said DOSH was keeping a closer watch on the five contractors working at other sites of the bridge. The workers were subject to more stringent requirements set by DOSH. These include submitting weekly safety and health reports to the department.
Annuar said DOSH had also implemented similar stringent approach at other construction sites deemed high risk.
"Engineers and contractors working at high-risk construction sites will have to brief DOSH of their building activities, occupational safety and maintenance procedures.
