Call For Safety Audits
Saturday, 7 Jan 2017 - ON DEC 19, StarMetro reported that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had formed a Safety Audit unit to check on work being done by its contractors.
I compliment Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain for deciding to carry out safety audits for council-related development projects and road infrastructure.
I have been calling for safety audits to be conducted by all local authorities on works being carried out by contractors in their respective jurisdictions.
Far too often, contractors or sub-contractors involved in road works for improvement of infrastructure facilities show scant regard for public safety.
Roads riddled with potholes are a common sight in the Klang Valley, and they pose a danger to the safety of motorists and motorcyclists.
Small vehicles driving into these potholes are bound to damage their suspensions and steering rods. There is also the chance of a burst tyre.
What is worse is when these potholes are filled with water and cannot be seen, putting many more motorcyclists at risk of accidents.
As a road user, I have to express my dissatisfaction over the manner in which most contractors carry out road-digging works and how they would leave the road badly resurfaced after completing their work.
Whenever road works are being carried out for laying cables, the contractors do not give much thought to public convenience and safety.
To begin with, when road works commence, a contractor has the tendency to occupy as much space on the road as possible. The work site is messy and, often, warning lights are not installed at night.
During the rainy season, these worksites pose a danger, and accidents have occurred because of the lack of safety measures.
What is most regrettable is after the cabling work has been completed, the work site is not properly resurfaced, resulting in a bumpy stretch.
While I appreciate that pipe and cabling work have to be done from time to time to rectify certain problems, the utility companies have a responsibility to ensure their contractors are responsible and pay the utmost attention to public safety and health.
If the public roads are not resurfaced properly, the blame ultimately falls on the local authority.
As a civic-minded citizen, whenever I see potholed roads in various parts of Kuala Lumpur, I would report it to Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
I also notice that many of these potholes are caused by poor resurfacing work. It makes sense that utility companies must choose responsible and reliable contractors to do their jobs.
While contractors have to buck up, local authorities must also be sensitive and take quick action to address problems without waiting for complaints to come in.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Kuala Lumpur
