
Surveyor dies in 27-metre fall at Bukit Mertajam site
BUKIT MERTAJAM: A 41-year-old verticality surveyor died after falling from the eighth floor of a construction site here yesterday.
According to the Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), the victim, who was employed by a subcontractor, is believed to have fallen approximately 27 metres through an opening in the building's pressurisation shaft while carrying out a verticality survey near the lift lobby.
"Initial investigations found that the shaft opening was only covered with plywood and surrounded by fencing, which were inadequate to support weight or provide sufficient protection for workers.
"Following notification of the incident, DOSH officers visited the site and began an immediate investigation.
"Three prohibition notices were issued to the main contractor, halting related work until proper safety measures are implemented," it said in a statement today.
DOSH has also instructed the main contractor to conduct an internal investigation, identify the root cause, propose corrective actions, and present their findings to the department.
"Further investigation will include reviewing relevant documents and recording witness statements.
"A follow-up inspection will be conducted once improvements are made," it added.
Legal action under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Amendment) 2022 may be taken if any violations are found.
DOSH emphasised the importance of workplace safety and reminded employers of their full responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
It also reiterated its commitment to making all workplaces in Malaysia safe and healthy.

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New Straits Times
10 hours ago
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DBKL: Construction site where Briton fell had no safety violations
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) found no violations at the Bangsar construction site where a 25-year-old British backpacker was found dead last week. Following an inspection on June 5, DBKL executive director (Planning) Datuk Zulkarnain Hassan said periodic checks showed the site was properly sectioned off. "It's a big development. It will be developed in phases. "One of the phases has been completed and the other is still under construction, so this is permissible. "They have, in fact, separated the part of the completed project from the one under construction. "So, it's properly separated," he said. However, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has halted all construction activity pending investigation. Zulkarnain added that DBKL's authority on construction sites is limited. "DBKL's concern, based on the building by-laws and other laws, is to ensure that the construction does not cause nuisance to the surrounding neighbours. "We also make sure every site has hoardings displaying the project details — what it is, who the main consultant is, the contractor, developer and the person in charge," he said. He added that DBKL regulates construction hours, and this site had been granted an extension to operate until 10pm — three hours beyond the standard 7am to 7pm limit in Kuala Lumpur. "Thirdly, we have jurisdiction over the vehicles and routes used for construction. "We monitor site cleanliness, ensure lorry tyres are cleaned, and check that drains aren't obstructed," he told the New Straits Times, adding that no violations were recorded at the time of inspection. Zulkarnain also pointed out that the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) plays a role by appointing contractors, who are then responsible for ensuring all standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed. Yesterday, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen urged CIDB and DOSH to investigate the developer and all parties involved in the Bangsar construction site where the Briton's body was found. Police believe the 25-year-old had entered the construction site before falling into a partially completed lift shaft. His decomposed body was later discovered submerged in water.


Daily Express
6 days ago
- Daily Express
Surveyor dies in 8th-floor fall at Penang construction site
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Hairozie Asri, the Penang director of the occupational safety and health department, said the main contractor has been ordered to halt all related works until safety measures have been fully complied with. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: A surveyor was killed after reportedly falling from the eighth floor of a building – an estimated height of 27m – through an opening in a pressurisation shaft at a construction site in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, yesterday. Hairozie Asri, the Penang director of the occupational safety and health department, said the department received information about the fatal accident at 10.30am and immediately dispatched a team of investigation officers to the site. Advertisement 'The victim, a 41-year-old local man working as a verticality surveyor with a subcontractor at the site, was confirmed dead after falling from the eighth floor through an opening in the pressurisation shaft. 'Preliminary investigations found that the opening was fenced off and covered only with plywood. It is believed that the measures provided insufficient protection for workers,' Bernama quoted him as saying. Hairozie said the department had issued three prohibition notices to the main contractor to halt all related works until safety measures have been fully complied with. He said the contractor had also been ordered to conduct an internal investigation to identify the cause of the incident, propose improvements, and present the findings to the department. Hairozie said the department would gather the relevant documents and record statements from all identified witnesses. 'A follow-up visit to the employer's premises will be made after corrective and preventive actions are taken. 'We will also pursue legal action under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Amendment) 2022 if any violations under the Act are found,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
Surveyor killed in eighth-floor fall at Bukit Mertajam construction site, DOSH investigates and issues stop-work orders
BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 6 — A surveyor was killed after reportedly falling from the eighth floor of a building — an estimated height of 27 metres — through an opening in a 'pressurisation shaft' area at a construction site here yesterday. Penang Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) director Hairozie Asri said the department received information about the fatal accident at 10.30 am, and a team of DOSH investigation officers was immediately dispatched to the site. 'The victim, a 41-year-old local man working as a verticality surveyor with a subcontractor at the site, was confirmed dead after falling from the eighth floor through an opening in the pressurisation shaft area. The incident occurred while he was carrying out surveying work at the building's lobby lift area. 'Preliminary investigations found that the opening was covered only with plywood and fenced off, but it is believed that the measures were insufficient to support weight or provide adequate protection to workers,' he said in a statement today. He said that following investigations on the day of the incident, DOSH issued three Prohibition Notices to the main contractor to halt related works until all safety measures are fully complied with. Hairozie added that the main contractor has also been instructed to conduct an internal investigation to identify the cause of the incident, propose improvements and present the findings to the state DOSH. DOSH will also gather relevant documents and record statements from all identified witnesses. 'A follow-up visit to the employer's premises will be conducted after corrective and preventive actions are taken. We will also pursue legal action under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Amendment) 2022 if any violations under the Act are found,' he said. — Bernama