PETALING JAYA: Authorities must come down hard on contractors who fail to take precautions which could jeopardise public safety in and around work sites in the country, said the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh).

Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic) said Tuesday’s incident where a car plunged into a 12m deep construction shaft in Jalan Universiti, here was “another typical case of roadworks contractors not paying adequate attention to public safety”.

“For too long, there has been a lot of lip service to safety and health but in real practice, it leaves much to be desired,” he said.

Firemen had to rappel down the shaft to rescue the driver and passenger. Both suffered multiple injuries and were sent to the nearby Universiti Malaya Medical Centre during the incident.

“Fortunately, there was no loss of life as water did not fill the whole pit but the senior citizen was traumatised. If there had been a death, it would have been a needless one,” he said.

Lee said although a freak incident, the accident could have been avoided if the contractor had installed concrete barriers instead of the plastic ones.

“Given the work site is located on the road, the hole should be properly covered and barricaded at all times,” said Lee.

In view of many ongoing construction works in Klang Valley and various parts of the country, Lee said contractors must adopt a more responsible attitude.

He also called on all relevant authorities to impose more stringent conditions when allowing road works and any form of construction activities to be carried out.