Those who are in charge of safety measures in building projects, who once thought they could escape punishment if they failed to live up to their professional demands, better think twice.

The Human Resources Ministry plans to toughen the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) with stringent amendments to make them more accountable to their profession.

However, the amendments will only govern future projects and do not have a retrospective effect.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 04 Minister S Subramaniam revealed that the amendments, to be implemented in a year’s time, will impose severe punishment on the building professionals if they were found to be negligent and have compromised on safety measures in the construction of buildings and other projects.

“The amendments to the existing law aim to make these professionals more responsible and accountable to their profession and the projects they had carried out,” said the minister.

Speaking to journalists after launching a small and medium enterprise training fair in Georgetown today, Subramaniam explained that the amendments were imperative given that the government was presently powerless to take punitive action against the errant professionals.

These professionals include architects, engineers and safety consultants.

terengganu gong badak stadium collapse sultan mizan 020609 According to Subramaniam, the amendments would give the government the power to prosecute professionals who have compromised their work ethics at the expense of safety measures.

Last week’s collapse of former Jaya Supermarket building in Petaling Jaya and today’s collapse of the Gong Badak stadium in Kuala Terengganu have raised questions on the role of professionals in charge of structural integrity and safety measures of these projects.

Once the amendments have been enforced, errant professionals can no longer escape the law if they had failed to provide sufficient and adequate safety measures to structural projects in future.

No approval given for demolition

On the former Jaya Supermarket building, Subramaniam said the Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) had not approved the application by property owner for the demolition of the building, although an application had been submitted.

jaya supermarket building collapse 290509 04 He said under the law, the building owner must obtained DOSH’s approval before demolishing the building.

Instead, he said the demolition was hurriedly carried out by the owner after obtaining approval from the local authority – the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council.

DOSH has started its investigation into the tragedy, which killed seven people, with the cooperation of the Public Works Department and the municipality.

Its report is expected to be ready in a week’s time.

Subramaniam said the probe would cover all aspects of safety measures undertaken during the demolition.

“The ministry will take stern action if anyone found guilty of compromising on the safety measures to be taken for the demolition, said Subramaniam.

He said the contractor in charge of the demolition work project could be fined RM50,000 or jailed two years, or both, if found to be negligent.