Foreign worker dies from electrocution at construction site

GEORGE TOWN: A foreign worker was killed after he was electrocuted while doing welding work at a construction site using a scissor lift on Saturday (Dec 30).

Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) director Hairozie Asri said the victim died at about 9.45am at a construction located in George Town.

He said a team of investigators from the department has been deployed to the site where the incident happened.

"Initial investigation found that the victim was a worker with a subcontractor appointed to carry out ducting and piping installation works at the construction site.

"The victim was reported to be unconscious by a friend who noticed the victim hanging on a scissor lift," he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 1).

He said the victim was brought down by his friend who took him out of the construction site.

The victim was pronounced dead en route to the hospital.

The autopsy conducted by Penang Hospital revealed that the victim had suffered an electrocution.

Hairozie said an immediate stop work order on the installation work has been issued to the company at the construction site until the investigation is complete.

He said the department has also instructed the employer to conduct an internal investigation to identify the cause of the incident and to conduct a safety upgrade before presenting their case to DOSH.

"The department will conduct a follow-up investigation by obtaining relevant documents and recording conversations during the examination of identified witnesses, as well as follow-up visits to the employer's premises after corrective and preventive actions have been taken," he said.

He said it is the responsibility of the employer under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 to ensure safety and health in the workplace.