IPOH: The lack of a ventilation system has been identified as one of the factors in the deaths of three people in a sewer shaft at a resort construction site in Lenggong on Sunday (April 6), says the Perak Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH).
It said investigations conducted at the site found no records that safe work procedures for confined space entry were given to the workers, as required under the Industry Code of Practice for Safe Working in a Confined Space 2010, it said in a statement.
DOSH said it had also issued an immediate stop-work notice for all work activities at the sewer manhole and placed a seizure order on the work area pending investigation.
"The resort construction site also has yet to submit the mandatory construction project notification (JKKP 12) to the department," it said on Tuesday (April 8).
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DOSH said its preliminary investigation showed that two of the victims were daily wage workers assigned to general tasks, including construction of the sewer system, while the third victim was a member of the public.
The statement added that concrete work for the construction of the sewer manhole measuring 4.04m in length, 5.20m in width, and 2.4m in depth was carried out about two weeks ago. Upon completion of the concrete works, the manhole was sealed.
"At around 9.30am on April 6, the first victim opened the manhole and entered the sewer shaft, (following which he lost) consciousness.
"The second victim went down the shaft to help his colleague, but also lost consciousness.
"The third person collapsed while attempting to help.
"The first and second victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and the third victim died at the Lenggong Health Clinic,” the statement read.
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It said DOSH takes incidents involving workers and the public seriously, stressing that employers have complete control over workplace activities and are responsible for identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments, and implementing effective risk control measures before work is carried out.
The department said legal action will be taken against those found violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
"DOSH will also conduct further investigation by obtaining related documents and recording witness statements.
"A directive letter was also issued to ensure that safe work procedures and risk assessments for activities at the sewer manhole are carried out, including the appointment of qualified personnel such as authorised gas testers," it added. – Bernama
