KAJANG: A worker has been electrocuted while clearing a fallen tree at a government agency training centre in here.
In a statement, the Selangor Occupational Safety and Health Department said the 34-year-old Malaysian victim, who works as a landscaper, was using a chainsaw to clear branches from a tree that had fallen onto the hoarding of a construction site at 2.05pm on April 15.
"An inspection of the accident site found there were several electrical wires … hanging from the hoarding of the construction site.
"The department has not ruled out the possibility that the accident occurred due to the lack of risk assessment by the contractor involved before the work was carried out," it said in a statement on Thursday (April 16).
The department added that investigations found that the tree had collapsed on April 14 due to heavy rain and strong winds.
"The Selangor DOSH has issued a letter of prohibition of disturbance at the location of the incident.
"The Energy Commission was also contacted to obtain a technical report on the cause of the electrical leakage.
"Further investigations are underway including summoning the employer of the contractor, sub-contractor and witnesses under Section 15(1), Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, which requires employers to ensure the safety and health of employees while at work.
"Any employer found to be in breach of the provisions of this Act may be subject to legal action including a maximum fine of RM500,000.00 if convicted," it said.
The department said employers are fully responsible for identifying workplace hazards, conducting risk assessments and implementing appropriate control measures before any work is carried out.
It added that such incidents can be avoided if employers comply with safety procedures and continuously implement risk controls for planned work activities.
