Penang Department of Occupational and Safety Health (DOSH) director Mohd Anuar Embi says it is "frustrating" that the ramp collapse happened in the last stages of the RM152 million Batu Maung Interchange project.

penang second bridge collape 060613 01 He told The Malay Mail yesterday "a lot of time" had been spent on inspecting the construction site under the Kuala Lumpur-based Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd that had a "squeaky clean" record with no reported accidents since work started in 2010.

“It is frustrating because we spent a lot of time inspecting the site. Unfortunately, this happened in the final leg of construction, which is classified as high risk due to the nature of activity.

“Their record is very good. There were no accidents reported in the past. As a safety officer, you try to avoid losses of lives and that is why it hurts when something like this happens.

“We take this seriously as the loss is not only about a life but also a loss to the contractor, the deceased’s family, the public and Malaysia’s image.”

Mohd Anuar said an in-depth investigation would be conducted, adding 13 DOSH investigators, led by him, would scrutinise scaffolding material, support form, maintenance, design, safety system of work, quality of workers, wind factor, and soil and earth movements.

NONE Asked if DOSH had the expertise to study technical matters, including earth movement and wind factor, he said they would engage outside experts to assist in the probe.

“The scope of the investigation is big with a tremendous amount of root causes.”

He said the site, which was under the control of the police, had been surrendered to DOSH yesterday after the authority called off the search and rescue mission to detect any victims trapped under the rubble.

On Friday, a 30-metre long steel and concrete ramp supported by scaffolds crashed into Jalan Batu Maung killing, self-employed 45-year-old Tajudin Zainal Abidin, who was in his Perodua Kelisa.

The ramp connecting the second Penang Bridge and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu is part of the overall RM4.5 billion 16.9km-long project between Batu Kawan and Batu Maung that was to be surrendered to Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd at the end of July.

One week for site to be cleared

Mohd Anuar said Cergas Murni’s RM152 million construction of Project 3A was classified as high risk due to the nature of activity on the site.

azlan “There are three main contractors involved in the mega project with all of them classified as high-risk workplaces. They comprise UEM Builders Bhd, CHEC (M) Construction Sdn Bhd and Cergas Murni.

“UEM worked on the superstructure of the approach spans, CHEC on the main navigation span and foundation works for approach spans, and Cergas Murni on the ramp.”

He said investigation would take a month to conclude and it comprised sample collection for laboratory tests following the removal of hazards by the ramp contractor, such as ensuring no loose objects from the ramp would crash down.

“Once they secure the safety of the site, we would take over and sift through the debris as part of the investigation. This should take about a week before the entire site can be cleared.

“Our complete investigation would take a month.”

Mohd Anuar said DOSH monitored more than 400 construction projects in Penang, including road and housing development.

He said the probe into the tragedy would be as intensive as the one made on the collapse of a crane over a pre-war shoplot at the Jalan Transfer-Jalan Sri Bahari junction in 2011, which killed a 64-yearold man.

- The Malay Mail