Give top priority to site safety

ANOTHER serious workplace accident has occurred at an MRT construction site. This time, three construction workers lost their lives after a 300-tonne span of segmented box girders dislodged from its piers and collapsed at the MRT project site near Kota Damansara.

I hope the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will carry out a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause of the accident.

What would have happened if the 300-tonne span of box girders had fallen on a busy road with heavy traffic.

We can well imagine the very tragic outcome if this had occurred.

Very rightly the MRT chief executive officer, who visited the site, took full responsibility for the incident and would have to

be answerable.

Interestingly, in early July, the CEO concerned had written to the media on the subject of promoting a safety culture at all MRT worksites and pledged his full commitment to occupational safety and health (OSH).

I compliment the CEO for his full commitment to OSH but he needs to ensure that his commitment is translated into concrete action on the ground by his contractors, his construction safety professionals and employees.

The number of accidents that have occurred at MRT construction sites so far has caused considerable public concern with many expressing fear for their safety each time they drive past or get stuck in a traffic jam on the roads adjacent to the MRT worksites.

The time has come for MRT Corporation to re-examine all safety aspects of their construction sites and mount a major public exercise to restore public confidence in the safety of its operations and construction activities.

It is necessary for the company to beef up its internal safety auditing process of all aspects of the construction works. Monitoring and supervision by safety professionals must be intensified at all MRT construction sites.

What is even more important is that not only the CEO but every individual involved in this massive project take full ownership of safety issues and see this as his or her responsibility.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Kuala Lumpur