Developers warned about upkeep of construction sites
New Straits Times, 23 August 2014
ALOR STAR: The state Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh) issued warning letters to 25 developers here and in Kubang Pasu districts for failing in the upkeep of their construction sites.
Its director Mohamad Jais Suratman said the developers were warned after mosquito breeding grounds were found at some of the 251 construction sites in the two districts.
Jais said the spot checks at the sites showed that the developers had failed to maintain their catchment pools, while planks and polystyrene boxes were strewn all over the sites.
“The poor upkeep has made the sites ideal for breeding Aedes mosquitoes. Dosh had issued 32 warning letters and one notice for various offences to employers between January and July this year.
“To curb dengue at construction sites, we are conducting weekly fogging,” he said after a spot check at a hypermarket here recently.
Mohamad Jais Suratman(right)with Dosh officers checking on a construction site. Pic by Danial Noordin
On another matter, Jais said 83 notices and 46 warning letters were issued and two cases brought to the court for offences related to occupational safety and health at workplace.
He added that 80 accidents and two casualties were reported between January and July while two workers had suffered permanent disabilities.
“The department is stepping up enforcement at the workplace especially at the construction sites to ensure the safety of the workers and the public,” he said.
Jais said the department would not hesitate to act against employers who fail to follow stringent safety and health practices set by the government. By Zahratulhayat Mat Arif
