SRI AMAN: Contractors have been advised to strictly comply with safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) at construction sites.
In giving the advice Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas hoped to maintain the clean bill of health at construction sites during the three years he has been Infrastructure and Port Development Minister.
He called on the Public Works Department (PWD) to therefore continue ensuring safety compliance at all construction sites.
“When a father leaves for work at a road or bridge construction site, his family expects him to return home safely and with a smile on his face,” he said, underscoring the importance of safety
“His family will be expecting this every day that he works there so it is absolutely important that all the SOPs, the regulations that we have issued out are adhered to all the time, every time.
“There may be times when due to work pressure, our contractors and workers may forget so I appeal to all contractors to be very serious about this,” he said.
He was addressing a gathering to celebrate safe man hours without any Lost Time Injury (LTJ) for the construction of a highway from Sebuyau to Lingga and the Lingga bridge and approach road project.
Uggah said the safety of workers is paramount as there are no less than 100 construction sites for government projects.
“We too are salvaging many formerly sick projects now. I have helmed the Ministry for around three years now.
“I have yet to receive any report of fatality on our sites. So I hope the PWD will continue to monitor compliance with full commitment. Make our road and bridge construction sites very safe for all,” he said.
Meanwhile, on another matter, Uggah directed the PWD to take another look at the safety protocols and facilities at all ferry terminals.
“Stern action must be taken against those refusing to put on life jackets. We do not want any untoward occurrences like what had happened some years ago.
“This can be avoided, so I want PWD to relook the enforcement aspects,” he stressed.
