Take legal action against those responsible
The Star Online, 22 September 2014
THE decision by the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corporation) to reveal the findings of its investigations on the fatal accident involving three Bangladeshi workers at its Kota Damansara worksite on Aug 18 is most laudable.
Making the report public is in line with transparency as this is a matter of public interest concerning safety at all MRT worksites.
The investigation found the “lack of shims had resulted in the span having limited stability and when parapets were installed on one side of the viaduct, it resulted in the viaduct deck span to topple”.
Shims are metal boxes filled with grout which are placed on a pier head to support the viaduct while it is placed on temporary jacks during the construction process.
The report on the investigation also revealed a number of other factors such as “failure to identify risks and implement mitigation measures, failure to provide a comprehensive inspection, failure to communicate risks between various parties involved in the works and poor sub-contractor management”.
MRT Corp, it was reported, had also identified the personnel, the main contractor and their sub-contractors responsible for the accident.
While it is noteworthy for MRT Corp to be taking certain steps to deal with errant contractors and the individuals responsible for the fatal incident, it is imperative for the authority concerned to take legal action against the culprits after it has completed its own investigation.
It is necessary to institute legal proceedings against those responsible, not only in the interest of justice but also to convey a clear message that those who flout the law (Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994) and breach safety operating procedures and other safety rules must be made to pay for their negligence and failure to act safely and responsibly.
As a corollary to the disclosure of its investigation’s findings, MRT Corp should now reinforce all safety aspects of their worksites.
It should also mount a major public exercise to restore public confidence in the safety of its operations and construction activities.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE, Kuala Lumpur