Skylift collision likely caused MRR2 canopy collapse, says DOSH as safety lapses come under scrutiny

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 — A temporary steel canopy that crashed onto a moving car along the MRR2 in Selayang yesterday is now believed to have fallen after being struck by a skylift boom, Selangor’s Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) said.

In a statement today, the department confirmed the incident happened during a paint-thickness inspection carried out by subcontractor Wuhan Construction Sdn Bhd. 

“Preliminary investigation found that the structure was a temporary canopy to prevent objects from falling onto the road. It was not designed to withstand an impact load,” DOSH said.

The Public Works Department has since ordered what remains of the structure to be removed “immediately to prevent further incidents”, as investigations continue into how the inspection was allowed to proceed under unsafe conditions.

DOSH said the work — categorised as high-risk — had been undertaken “without written permission from the main contractor, China Communication Construction Sdn Bhd”. 

A notice has now been issued to the main contractor under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, prohibiting it from continuing paint-inspection works “until a safe working system is created and approved”.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, who visited the scene, reminded contractors that worker and public safety “cannot be compromised”. 

He “stressed the need for all contractors and sub-contractors to adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (Construction) (Design and Management)”, DOSH said.

According to the department, the deputy minister also underscored that risk assessments must be carried out “as early as the design stage and continued continuously throughout the project period”, calling the approach essential to identifying hazards and taking preventive measures “to subsequently avoid accidents on construction sites”.

He has ordered a detailed investigation to identify the root cause and ensure “appropriate action is taken if any part failed to comply with safety requirements”.

The ministry said it would continue strengthening oversight of high-risk construction projects “to ensure that safety at construction sites is always at an optimal level”.