It has been two weeks since the fatal accident involving the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Suke) construction project occurred and the authority is still investigating the cause.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim (above, centre) said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is still persistent in investigating the cause of the accident and if there was any violation of laws, DOSH will not hesitate to take action.
Awang said this after attending an event with developers and contractors of Suke construction in Bangi, Selangor today.
When asked by the media afterwards about the possible cause of the accident, Awang said they need to wait for the formal investigation report.
“Detailed and thorough investigation is still ongoing so I can’t answer your question right now. This is not something we can assume or presume, this is technical. Therefore, we need to wait.”
When pressed on over when the authority is going to complete the investigation, he said: “This is a big case, so we can’t force them to investigate quickly. Otherwise, we will reach an inaccurate conclusion.”
According to DOSH’s statement issued on March 25, the department estimated that it would take one month to investigate the case.
Developers, designers and contractors related to Suke construction were invited to the event today to sign a “Letter of Promise”.
According to the letter sighted by Malaysiakini, they promised to commit to ensuring occupational safety and health.
DOSH director-general Zailee Dollah said this initiative is to strengthen public confidence in the construction project.
Amending laws to increase fines for employers
Meanwhile, Awang said the government is considering amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1994 (Osha) and increasing the maximum fine for violators.
“The government is committed to amending OSHA to strengthen the aspect of occupational health and safety.
“One of the proposed amendments is to increase the maximum fine from RM50,000 to RM500,000,” he said.
According to Osha, the duty of every employer and a self-employed person is to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees. Failing to do so, they will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
On March 22, three Chinese nationals were killed while a driver was seriously injured when a component of a gantry crane collapsed at the Suke construction site near Puncak Banyan, Persiaran Alam Damai, Cheras.
Following this, the Malaysian Highway Authority ordered several roads beneath the highway construction to be closed, in order to ensure public safety.
Construction has also been halted pending a safety audit.
The March 22 incident is only the latest in a string of serious accidents involving the Suke highway. - Mkini
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