Scaffolding collapse: LLM, engineering firm to submit detailed report in a week

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and Consulting Engineer Zaidun Leeng Sdn Bhd (ZLSB) have been instructed to prepare a detailed report within a week, on the scaffolding collapse at the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Highway (DASH) construction site, yesterday.

The Works Ministry (KKR) informed that the report from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) on the incident that occurred above the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) in Kota Damansara at 7.15 pm, will also be studied before further action is taken.

According to the ministry, the incident took place at the fifth of the 14 locations where the same engineering process is to be carried out. The work had been completed at four locations.

"During the concrete pouring process, the construction site was completely closed as per the standard procedure.

"LLM's preliminary inspection found that the scaffolding design is in order and had been certified by the Consulting Engineer.

"Work on the remaining 10 locations can only be continued after the audit report by the Independent Consulting Engineer (ICE) is issued," the ministry said in a statement today.

In expressing regret over the incident the ministry said the concessionaire, Projek Lintasan Damansara Shah Alam Sdn Bhd (PLDSASB) has been ordered to immediately put a halt to the falseworks and to provide appropriate assistance to the two injured workers.

As a safety measure, the right lane on both sides of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) near the construction area have been closed.

In the 7.15pm incident yesterday, two Bangladeshi workers in their 20s and 40s were injured after a metal scaffolding collapsed at DASH construction site.

Meanwhile, PLDSASB in a separate statement said, work on the clean-up of the construction site was stopped at 3pm today and would continue tomorrow following heavy rains.

Road users have also been advised to exercise caution when passing through the affected area as the right lane from both directions of the NKVE Highway have been closed and a counter lane has been activated to facilitate traffic flow.

In addition Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) group chief executive officer Datuk Mohammad Azlan Abdullah said as the project developer of DASH, the company had always reminded the contractors involved to always adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and that highway construction safety measures are taken.

"Clearly our aim and objectives are to ensure that the project is built in the safest manner, completed on time and in accordance with the highest standards of engineering practices.

"However, what happened yesterday was very unfortunate and we together with the contractor involved, MRCB Builders Sdn Bhd will give our full cooperation to the authorities and continue to improve the processes and execution of existing projects," he said.

Eight main contractors are involved in DASH construction, while independent consulting engineers are fully responsible for the design, supervision and inspection of the project from various aspects.

For feedback or queries, the public can contact Prolintas communication channels via the hotline -1 300 88 5522 or email to feedback.dash@prolintas.com.my.

-- BERNAMA