Quarry blast probe starts
New Straits Times Online, 23 July 2013
PASIR GUDANG: The Johor Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) has al started recording statements from those involved in the blast at Wak Quarry in Bandar Seri Alam near here on Friday.
The explosion at 12.50pm killed Lohan Rai, a 23-year-old Nepalese production operator. The incident also damaged a Tenaga Nasional Bhd substation, 14 factories, 18 cars and injured 10 factory workers.
In the aftermath of the blast, all the factories located 500m from the quarry were also forced to stop operating because of damage and the loss of electricity supply after the substation was damaged by falling boulders.
DOSH director Omar Mat Piah said the case was being investigated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and the Factories and Machinery Act 1967.
"We have already assembled a team to handle the investigation," Omar said yesterday.
He also said the workers' safety was the agency's prime concern. When asked about the licensing permits, Omar said that was under the scope of the police.
"The department did not receive any complaints from factory operators there."
It was reported that 39 police reports were lodged regarding the explosion and damage to buildings and cars, and Lohan's case had been classified as sudden death.
Seri Alam police chief Superintendent Roslan Zainuddin said that the explosion was still under investigation.
