Setting the record straight

I refer to the letter by Paul Aquilina titled Dangerous Construction Works (October 16) where a false and unjust accusation was made about the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA).

Mr Aquilina claims he has also tried to contact other authorities regarding the safety issue but all of them told him it was not their area of responsibility. This is far from the truth.

Some time ago Mr Aquilina contacted OHSA to inform us about the planned works, saying he had in hand an architect's report regarding the case. OHSA asked Mr Aquilina to send in the report and let it know when the works commence.

This he did and immediately two OHS officers went on site and carried out a full investigation. They also spoke to the employer's architect and requested a copy of the health and safety plan as stipulated by law. This was indeed sent to OHSA. Mr Aquilina then phoned OHSA claiming he had another architect's report which was also sent to the authority.

Following the inspection and investigation, a stop order was issued whereby all excavations were stopped on site unless further information was sent to OHSA; however other work not related to excavation could still be carried out.

Mr Aquilina phoned OHSA to thank us personally for all our assistance and cooperation. It was thus very surprising to read his letter, which omitted all this.

Although we understand Mr Aquilina's human concern, we would not, under any circumstances, even entertain the idea of interfering within the competences of other authorities. Neither are we asking any public pats on the back.

Nevertheless, we feel that the generalisation used on this occasion was not called for and the aim of this letter is purely to set the record straight regarding our actions.