Bridge collapse: Stop the blame game

Meanwhile the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to also investigate the incident.

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan wants an independent “no holds barred” probe into the collapse of a uncompleted flyover ramp connecting the in-progress second Penang Bridge in Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway at Batu Maung last night.

Penang Gerakan secretary Dr Lim Boon Ben also called on all quarters to stop playing the blame game over which authority should be held responsible and accountable for the tragic incident.

“It is imperative to get to the bottom of the root causes that led to the collapse of the ramp, which caused deaths and injuries,” he said in a statement here today

He added that the authorities should also reevaluate the structures of the second bridge proper and the ramps to ensure safety.

Dr Lim said an independent body, preferably with foreign reputable consultants, should conduct both the studies.

He said three levels of government were involved in the construction of the bridge and the ramps.

Firstly, the federal and state governments are responsible for supervision, while local authorities such as public works department (PWD) and Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) monitor the construction works.

“Public safety is of paramount importance. Whoever was responsible should take the responsibility,” insisted Dr Lim.

The 30-metre wide flyover ramp structure collapsed at about 7.20pm on yesterday,  according to eyewitnesses.

Four people are feared dead but until now there is no official confirmation from the authorities.

Scaffolding gave way

Confirmed however is that three people were injured in the tragic incident. Two of them were an Indonesian worker identified only as Slamat, 36, and an a Myanmar national, Tin Maung Iwin, 39. They were sent to the Penang Hospital for treatment and are in stable condition.

The third person injured was a local woman, Thilasheni Rajendran, 24, who was injured by flying debris while driving through the affected area.

Her car’s side window was shattered by a fallen beam.

The collapsed portion was part of Package 3A of the Second Penang Bridge project.

Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) public relations and communications department deputy manager Azizi Azizan has revealed that the incident occurred while concrete pouring works were ongoing.

“It collapsed when the scaffolding supporting the area gave way,” he said, adding that investigation was still going on.

Until now the search and rescue team is yet to dig out any corpse although it is feared several people may have been buried alive under the rubble.

More than the 300 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence, St Johns and Red Society, Special Team operation and Response Mechanism (Storm) have been involved in the search and rescue operation.

Was SOP observed?

Meanwhile Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to investigate the incident.

Penang branch secretary K Veeriah said the union wanted to confirm on whether acceptable safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOP) had been strictly observed in the construction works.

“It is utmost crucial especially in the construction industry for necessary safety measures to be taken seriously.

“We are shocked by recent incidences involving the construction industry,” said Veeriah referring to several industrial accidents in past few months.

An unused flyover near the Selangor Science Park 2 Interchange in Cyberjaya collapsed in March while early this month, a crane collapsed at a construction site in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

The Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin stadium in Trengganu collapsed for the second time when a steel structure holding up the roof collapsed and injured five workers in February.

During construction of the first Penang Bridge in the early 80s, some 20 workers were killed, including five workers when a crossbeam collapsed on Oct 20, 1984.

Veeriah said the contractors of the second bridge should have learnt from past industrial incidents and taken extra measures to avert such industrial accidents.

He said contractors should have carried out works during off-peak hours, closed off the particular section of road and diverted traffic using available alternative roads.

“All these measures should have been taken to protect the safety of motorists,” said Veeriah.

The second bridge is being constructed by UEM Builders Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UEM Group Malaysia, as well as China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the China Construction & Communications Group (CCCG).