The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) is extremely concerned over the incident of the collapse of the concrete girder for the ongoing construction of an overhead rail viaduct of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line near Kota Damansara in the late evening of Aug 18, 2014.

It is a sad tragedy  for the families of the three construction workers who are feared dead from the incident. IEM commiserates on the loss of lives and deep condolences are extended to the immediate families of the victims.

IEM is of the opinion that safety issues on site would have to be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause of the tragic incident. IEM strongly urges the authorities to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the incident. Until completion of the investigation, the root cause of the collapse cannot be established.

It is also alarming to note that the initial investigation by the safety inspectors found that the contractors did not comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) for construction. Qualified professional engineers or supervisors MUST be present at all times to supervise the installation of such important concrete structures.

 IEM hopes that all relevant parties involved in the MRT project will always ensure that there is strict adherence to the SOP and other safety guidelines in order to prevent such incidents from happening.

IEM is willing to provide the technical expertise and independent advice to the authorities in conducting the investigation into the cause of the collapse and in reviewing the follow-up measures required to avoid similar incidents from occurring again.

IR LIM CHOW HOCK is president, The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia.