MRT Corp today revealed that the incident which claimed three lives at a construction site was due to lack of supervision at the site.

Findings of the investigation conducted on the incident discovered that the 350-tonne viaduct deck span had toppled because of poor sub-contractor management, among other factors.

The organisations that were responsible for carrying out the measures are the project's delivery partner MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP) Sdn Bhd and main contractor Syarikat Muhibah Perniagaan dan Pembinaan Sdn Bhd.

The Aug 3 incident claimed three lives, those of Bangladeshi workers Mohamed Faruk Khan, Mohammad Alauddin Mollik and Mohammad Elahi Hossain, who were crushed under the viaduct deck span.

MRT Corp chief executive officer Azhar Abdul Hamid said the report pointed out that the lack of shims (metal boxes filled with grout to support the viaduct) had seriously affected the span's stability.

“Therefore, when parapets were installed on one side of the viaduct it ultimately resulted in the viaduct deck span toppling,”" he said.

Apart from the mentioned factors, the probe also found that the following factors had caused the incident:

  • Lack of method statement for erection of parapets on viaducts for single tracks;
  • Failure to identify risks and implement mitigation measures;
  • Failure to provide a comprehensive inspection and test plan;
  • Failure to communicate risks among the various parties involved in the works.
'OSHA could be relevant'

Referring to the findings, Azhar said the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA) could be relevant for action to be taken against those responsible.

Under Section 19 of the OSHA, anyone found guilty of an offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

“Any legal action against those found responsible can only be taken by the government based on the investigations carried out by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

“I believe DOSH’s findings from their investigation would be similar to our investigation findings,” Azhar said.

He added that MRT Corp will also be removing project individuals found to have been responsible for the incident.

The company will also blacklist contractors and consultants found responsible for future projects.

Ensuring that the steps will be implemented, Azhar said he wanted to get to the root of the problem so that the three lives lost will not have been in vain.