MRT project delivery partner deploys 60 safety superintendents at sites
The Star Online, 10 October 2014
Preventing further accidents: (From left) Ku Haris, Adil and Amir Mahmood inspecting the site near Kota Damansara.
TIGHTER supervision and more emphasis on staff training are among the measures taken to improve safety at Mass Rapid Transit construction sites.
MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line project delivery partner MMC-Gamuda KVMRT Sdn Bhd deputy construction director Adil Putra Ahmad said the company would ensure stringent and thorough checks at all sites to prevent further accidents.
“We have deployed 60 experienced safety superintendents for the elevated alignment, to provide an extra layer of policing and safety precaution wherever high-risk activities are being carried out on the 51km rail track.
“These personnel will be on site to do spot checks including checking on safety and ensuring water does not stagnate, to prevent dengue fever.
“On top of that, all spans are secured with either permanent or temporary support at all times while debris catch nets are installed for overhanging structures over live traffic,” he said during a media site visit at the MRT construction site held within Package V1 near Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
Adil was referring to the incident on Aug 18 where a single track viaduct deck under construction toppled and landed on the ground because of the lack of shims, when parapets were installed on one side of the viaduct.
Three Bangladeshi workers died in the incident.
A stop-work order was immediately issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) before it was partially lifted on Aug 27 and Aug 29 to make way for temporary shims and sheet pile installation respectively.
“Although the stop-work order was fully lifted on Sept 17, we are putting the parapet installation temporarily on hold pending a review of the method.
“Internal stop-work order will be lifted in stages when the works package contractor for Package V1, Syarikat Muhibbah Perniagaan dan Pembinaan Sdn Bhd complies with the stricter mitigation measures and work site practices,” he said.
Construction is expected to resume next week.
Also present were Syarikat Muhibbah managing director Ku Haris Ku Mahmud and MRT Corp strategic communications and public relations director Amir Mahmood Razak.
At the end of August, 52% of the MRT line has been completed for both the elevated and underground rail tracks and it is ahead of schedule.
The entire project is expected to be completed by December 2016.
