Contractors must take heed of weather conditions when carrying out work on high-rise buildings.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, added that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for gondolas and such work should also be reviewed to ensure that the safety of the workers remained a top priority.
Lee said the video of several workmen on a gondola at the TS Law Tower in Kuala Lumpur being tossed about by strong winds yesterday “sent chills down everyone’s spine”.
In yesterday’s incident, heavy winds that lashed the tower threw the gondola about, hitting the building several times and smashing windows.
“Luckily, they escaped unhurt,” said Lee.
“What lessons can we learn from this unusual weather pattern, which is not normal for this time of the year, and which obviously, is the result of climate change, that is now a global phenomenon?
“Obviously, the safety and precautionary measures that we have been – or should have been – used to, need to be reviewed.”
He said the SOPs for working in gondolas must be reviewed and revised “with immediate effect”, pending which, all similar work should be temporarily suspended when the weather is bad.
“The review may include the appointment of a person to monitor the weather, based on the forecast by the Meteorological Department. There should be early warning systems put in place.
“Workers should be equipped with additional safety equipment, and their current safety equipment be subjected to more frequent audits.”
He added that in view of yesterday’s incident, the Department of Safety and Health should also review their approval conditions for gondolas and other equipment used for the construction and maintenance of high-rise buildings.
“Gondolas must also be fitted with extra safety measures to cushion the impact against buildings during similar adverse weather conditions.
“Workers should also be briefed, on a daily basis, on the possible weather changes, and undergo regular safety drills.
“We must not wait until another near-tragedy takes place before action is taken,” Lee said.
He added that the authorities and stakeholders must be proactive in dealing with the effects of unpredictable weather, which could cause more damage in the future.
A team of fire and rescue personnel from the Pudu Fire and Rescue Station rushed to the scene yesterday after being alerted to the incident.
The workers, however, managed to safely get out of the gondola by the time the first responders reached the scene.
