Not a pretty site for motorists
The Star Online, 20 Jun 2013
Potential road hazard: A car passing under huge beams supported by metal scaffolding along Persiaran Kewajipan in USJ 6, Subang Jaya.PETALING JAYA: Recent road and Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction accidents are making motorists cringe as they approach such areas.
What used to be a daily routine has now become a harrowing experience as they drive under huge beams (segmental box girders) supported by metal scaffolding suspended across roads as part of the LRT extension project.
Motorists have to pass under the beams as workmen stand above and continue with construction, such as at the LRT extension site along Persiaran Kewajipan in USJ 6, Subang Jaya.
There is at least another site in USJ with a similar overhead construction.
Arthur Samuel, a contractor with a surveillance company, is among many USJ residents exposing themselves to these daily “risks”.
“One wonders if the beams may fall or if the heavy objects carried by the cranes will crash on you, as has occurred recently,'' he said.
Subang Jaya resident Jason Ong said he preferred using alternative routes so as to avoid construction sites.
“I've observed that some of the basic structures look wobbly with a noticeable lack of safety measures in place,” said the businessman. “I do not want to risk being pinned under a beam if it suddenly collapses.”
Fellow resident and motorcyclist Hassan Merhan is extra cautious.
“When I see lorries passing under the beams, I fear them hitting the metal scaffolding and causing the entire structure to come crashing down,'' he said.
In March, a motorist was killed and another seriously injured when construction equipment being hoisted by a crane at an LRT extension site near Subang Airport (KM15 Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang) fell and crushed two cars.
At the same site, a boom crane meant for LRT construction works fell off a trailer transporting it and crushed to death a restaurant worker and seriously injured his employer last month.
Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd project development division group director Zulkifli Yusoff assured motorists that the segmental box girders were secured with stress bars.
“Each segment of the girders is hung by individual stress bars attached to a launcher that has been checked and certified safe by DOSH (Department of Occupational Health and Safety),'' he added.
Zulkifli said LRT contractors were obligated to adhere to stringent safety regulations stipulated by DOSH.
“In addition, they are also required to meet the requirements of the local authorities,” he said. “Furthermore, Prasarana is always in discussions with the contractors to identify ways to improve safety.”
