| Azlan Othman |
THERE has been an increase in fatalities at construction sites in the Sultanate, while accidents recorded a decline, said the Acting Minister of Development, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar yesterday.
The number of construction site fatalities rose from six cases in 2014 to nine cases in 2015, according to statistics compiled by the Health, Safety and Environment Section of Public Works Department (JKR). However, there has been a 41 per cent drop in the number of accidents recorded – from 95 cases in 2014 to 56 cases in 2015, the acting minister noted.
Speaking at an event to celebrate the achievement of 15 million man hours without lost time incident (LTI) for the Construction and Contracts Department of Haji Adinin and Sons, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi added that the decline in accident rate is due to increased safety and health awareness and improvement in safety performance of construction companies through strict adherence to the Workplace Safety and Health Order 2009.
Good safety management is crucial for systematic prevention of construction site accidents. We need to change the mindset of the employers and workers as it shapes the attitude and governs safety behaviours. The Ministry of Development through JKR has set up dedicated team to promote/monitor safety management system both at the corporate and site levels, the acting minister said.
In ensuring the safety of workers at worksites the government introduced Workplace Safety and Health Order 2009 which was officially launched on August 1, 2013. A set of workplace safety and health regulations have also been established to complement it. The Order, which aims to control or eliminate risks in the workplace, outlines the rules and responsibilities of management, supervisors and workers in the country to ensure work can be done safely, the acting minister noted.
Acting Minister of Development, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar (R) presenting an award to a recipient – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
Acting Minister of Development, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar (2nd R) during the event
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi later presented awards and certificates to over 80 project managers, engineers, supervisors and workers.
Meanwhile in a statement, the Construction and Contracts Department of Haji Adinin and Sons said, “It has been a bumpy road throughout the journey, but the strive to be on top has made it possible for the department to reach the significant milestone of 15 million man hours without LTI on February 2016. This mammoth count has been piling up since 2010 when we had the last LTI and it’s been a mere six-year haul and advancing steadily to date.
“It is a highly significant achievement by any construction company operating in the Sultanate. Every single individual who served during this period has been an essential part of it and needs to be honoured and is worthy of a pat on the back.
“Above all, the most prominent factor is the visionary leadership given from the front by the Managing Director, Haji Musa bin Haji Adinin, the statement said.
Some of the major contributory projects undertaken by the company during the six-year period include: construction of 1098 dwelling units under two major phases of the National Housing Scheme in Kg Tanah Jambu, massive earthworks and infrastructure development in Kg Meragang, construction of Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at Bolkiah Garrison, secondary school complex in Lumut, extension of Hornbill School in Panaga, membrane and conventional water treatment Plants in Bukit Barun, Anggerek Desa Technology Park phase 3, integrated sewerage system in Kg Berangan, Subok and Kianggeh, temporary construction facilities for TOTAL, flyover in Jalan Telanai/Gadong intersection and integrated maintenance and shutdown contracts under Brunei LNG and ROS.
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