High code of ethics and constant reviews at LRT construction sites - The Star Online
The Star Online, 8 November 2014
(From left) Minconsult Sdn Bhd Health safety and environment personnel Shahaidi Shahril, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd Kelana Jaya Line Extension Project (LEP) Safety, Health and Environment Department officers Ruzilawati Isnin Associate and Al–Fazree Sarif making their periodic rounds to monitor safety at construction sites.
THE construction industry in the Klang Valley is booming with hundreds of development projects sprouting up all over Kuala Lumpur and its outskirts.
In fact, it has been reported that at any given time, there are about 500 cranes operating around the city centre itself.
While this may be seen as a good sign for the country’s economy, the public is wondering how safe the construction sites are for the people who work there as well as the man on the street.
Construction work exposes workers to a wide range of dangers and health problems and the public are also concerned about ongoing projects near their homes.
The sight of scaffoldings and cranes near main roads and housing estates tend to make motorists and residents jittery.
Recent mishaps at several construction sites in the Klang Valley have raised questions on the level of safety at such sites.
Realising the importance of safety at construction sites, public transport asset owner Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) practises a high code of ethics to ensure accidents and mishaps are largely prevented at its construction sites.
“It is no secret in the construction industry — everyone focuses on getting the job done as fast as possible and at the lowest possible cost.
“A slight delay can affect productivity and cost.
“And, a delayed project does not reflect well on the company’s progress report,’’ said Prasarana Safety, Health & Environment Department (PRIME) head Mazlan Ahmad.
“Hence, in many construction sites, there may be instances where contractors and supervisors overlook the safety precautions in order to speed up the job.
“This results in risky and unhealthy operations, almost always culminating in accidents and fatalities,’’ Mazlan said.
Prasarana, under its Project Development Division, was tasked to handle two key infrastructure projects — the LRT Line Extension Project for both the Ampang and Kelana Jaya lines and the new Bus Rapid Transit — Sunway Line.
These projects are expected to have a positive impact on the standard of public transportation services in the Klang Valley.
To ensure that safety is a top priority at their construction sites, Mazlan explained that Prasarana ensures both managers and workers inculcate the safety culture to mitigate on-site hazards.
“All our project management company managers, engineers, contractors and workers have to comply with existing laws and guidelines on health, safety and environment established by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) as well as the Department of Environment (DOE),’ said Mazlan.
He further explained that the standard operating procedure (SOP) at Prasarana construction sites includes the dos and don’ts when carrying out high-risk activities such as lifting, working at high elevations and in confined spaces.
He added that they also have to comply with the additional rules and guidelines issued by the local authorities.
“We are accountable for 4,000 workers and we are proud to say that all of them are registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB),” he said.
Under CIDB Malaysia Act 1994 (Act 520), workers at construction sites must have Industrial Personnel Registration Cards or “Green Cards” to prove that they are registered with the CIDB.
"Even our contractors must be certified by DOSH and CIDB and they are required to have their own project safety and health plan that must be followed at all times," Mazlan said.
He added that the safety plan includes management of traffic in areas surrounding their construction sites.
The company also ensures that workers go through a safety induction course at the start of the project.
Contractors are tasked to carry out toolbox talks every week to acquaint them with their tasks.
Toolbox talks are informal group discussions that focus on safety issues and promote safety culture.
“The contractors will basically teach them the right method to do a specific task and also take note of their physical outlook. Our safety personnel will conduct weekly random checks to see if everything is in order.
“We are very strict with repeat offenders and will not hesitate to penalise workers who do not follow procedures,’’ he added.
“On our part, we have joint high level safety meetings with the project management consultants, engineers and contractors to constantly drill in the fact that safety is a priority,’’ he said.
Mazlan also reiterated the need for stringent laws when dealing with temporary works at construction sites.
“We are currently implementing stricter rules in cases of temporary works. Contractors now must ensure that that the level of competency for the usage of scaffolding is higher.
“The second Penang Bridge incident was a bitter lesson for the industry.
“Furthermore, we are looking at DOSH to review and increase the fines imposed on negligent employers.
“Currently, the department imposes a maximum fine of RM50,000 on errant employers who do not comply with the safety rules and regulations.
“We fully support any efforts by the relevant authorities, chiefly the DOSH to impose stringent fines for offenders since this will be a credible deterrence that will result in greater compliance to safety requirements,’’ Mazlan said.
