DOSH halts paint inspection work after skylift boom hits steel canopy at ECRL site, crushing vehicle
PETALING JAYA: A workplace safety breach has led to the collapse of a temporary steel structure at an East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction site, with preliminary investigations revealing that a skylift boom struck a protective canopy, causing it to fall onto a passing vehicle.
The incident, which occurred yesterday during paint-thickness inspection activities, has prompted authorities to issue immediate prohibition orders and launch comprehensive safety reviews across all ECRL sites near major roadways.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad revealed today that the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) discovered the high-risk inspection work was being carried out by a subcontractor without the required written Permit to Work from the main contractor.
“We have issued a prohibition notice to the main contractor, halting all paint inspection activities until a safer work system is established and verified by DOSH,” Abdul Rahman told reporters during a site visit to the location today.
The notice was issued under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, emphasising the seriousness of the safety violations uncovered.
Initial findings from DOSH investigators indicate that the steel canopy involved was a temporary protection structure that had not been designed to withstand impact loads, raising questions about the adequacy of safety planning at the site.
“DOSH found that the steel canopy was a temporary protection structure not designed to withstand impact loads,” Abdul Rahman explained, adding that the Human Resources Ministry has launched a detailed investigation into all aspects of the incident.
Following the collapse, the Public Works Department (PWD) ordered the immediate dismantling of all remaining steel canopy structures at the location to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
In response to the incident, Abdul Rahman confirmed that all ECRL construction sites located near or crossing main roadways would undergo comprehensive safety compliance inspections.
“The safety of workers and the public is a priority and cannot be compromised,” he emphasized, stressing the importance of adherence to the Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that proper risk assessments must be conducted from the earliest design stages and maintained continuously throughout project duration to identify hazards and implement appropriate preventive measures.
Abdul Rahman disclosed that two other segments featuring similar structural characteristics have been ordered to immediately halt operations as a precautionary measure.
“This is to ensure there is no risk to the thousands of road users who pass through the area daily,” he said, underlining the potential danger posed by inadequately assessed temporary structures.
Investigators are now examining every component of the temporary structure involved in the collapse, including design approvals and construction methodology.
“We want to look at the designs that were built, even if temporary, but they must obtain approval,” Abdul Rahman said, noting that the epoxy coating and structural work had already been completed before the collapse occurred.
The skylift operator will be summoned to provide a statement to help establish the precise sequence of events leading to the collision. While early information suggests the skylift boom was the trigger, the ministry has emphasized it will not draw final conclusions until combined investigations by DOSH and PWD are completed.
The incident took place on a section of the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) FT28 heading towards Batu Caves, where construction had been underway for a Road Under Bridge (RUB) component of the ECRL Project.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), the owner of the ECRL project, confirmed that all construction activities in the affected area have been suspended pending the outcome of a full investigation.
The incident has brought renewed focus on contractor compliance with safety regulations, particularly regarding high-risk activities that require specific authorisation and oversight.
The requirement for Permit to Work systems is designed to ensure that dangerous operations are properly planned, authorized by competent personnel, and executed with appropriate safety measures in place. The apparent absence of such authorization in this case represents a significant breakdown in safety protocols.
While authorities have not commented on potential delays to the overall ECRL project timeline, the suspension of work at multiple sites and the requirement for comprehensive safety audits across the network could impact construction schedules.
The ECRL, a major infrastructure project connecting the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, involves numerous construction sites working simultaneously along the 665-kilometre alignment.
