One of the sewerage project sites in Petaling Jaya Old Town beside Pasar Jalan Othman.
SEWER project contractors in Petaling Jaya Old Town were seen covering the construction shafts along the main roads with concrete barriers yesterday morning.
Thick slabs of concrete were also being fitted onto the shafts to prevent accidents.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry has ordered contractors involved in sewer projects to cover the holes with a concrete barrier.
The ministry said that as a long-term safety measure, all open surfaces must be added with a layer of concrete barrier.
This directive came about following the incident of a car driven by a 84-year-old man and a female passenger plunging into an 8.7m- deep and 3.3m-wide construction shaft in Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, on Tuesday.
The ministry’s statement also said that the barrier should be 1m upward from the surface of the opening to ensure that no object falls into the gaping hole.
The 35km sewer project is undertaken by Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd. Following the incident, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) issued a stop-work order while investigation on the incident was being carried out by the authorities.
The concrete slab used to cover the sewer shaft in Petaling Jaya Old Town.
It was mentioned in the statement that all existing safety measures would be further updated.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said all projects including those carried out by MBPJ had to have better safety measures failing which the council would revoke their work permits or issue a stop-work order.
Mohd Azizi said all holes must be covered well with sturdy barriers instead of using barriers made of plastic.
Former Kampung Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hau said the council must not hesitate to issue stop-work order to any projects if they were found neglecting public safety.
He said some of these construction areas were at residential areas or at roads connecting to neighbourhoods.
“The barriers along these project sites must also have blinkers for the safety of motorists at night.
“The barriers must be filled with water so that it will not be easily moved,” he said.
A concrete cylinder has been fitted on the shaft in Petaling Jaya Old Town to prevent vehicles from plunging in.
Petaling Jaya Utara MCA division chairman Tan Gim Tuan said the delivery system and the safety of residents cannot be neglected.
He added that many projects were privatised in the country, thus local governments must play its role to supervise the safety of the projects.
“Any project that takes place in Petaling Jaya is under the Selangor government. If any of the projects are negligent when it comes to safety, it should be suspended,” he said.
When StarMetro visited the one-way loop (OWL), which is a project embarked by MBPJ, plastic barriers had been placed along the pavement in Jalan Timur.
Other spots with plastic barriers included near the SMK (L) Bukit Bintang and Jalan Utara where there are deep drains.
Selangor MCA Complaints Bureau chief Kelvin Chong Seng Foo said MBPJ must take into account the safety of pedestrians and motorists at the OWL project sites.
Chong said drains could be covered with metal sheets approved by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
He added that all plastic cones and road barricades used to block roads should be approved by CIDB.
Chong said construction-related accidents were usually caused by human error and negligence; thus they should be contained to a minimal level.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman R.Rajiv said issuing stop-work order to the sewer project upgrading was not a solution.
He said the Sewerage Services Department had to ensure the project proceeded smoothly.
Rajiv said there could be a problem of cost cutting which may result in lack of safety features at the site.
“We have issued the stop-work order for the sewer project a few times. The behaviour changes seems temporary.
“Contractors must heed the instructions of their paymasters,” he said.
