Precautions are better than fines

It is truly amazing that one has to wait for and witness an accident on a building site for the authorities and the powers that be to start coming up with statements in the media expressing concern at the none-too-happy state of affairs. An inquiry is opened, the dead are dutifully buried, and life goes on unperturbed. But, let us not forget, this is Malta!

I do not intend to go into the merits or demerits of or even try to comment on the recent fatal accident, which, regrettably and unfortunately, occurred at a building site in Hamrun. I leave the competent authorities to do so.

Neither do I wish to conclude that accidents on building sites occur as a result of shortcomings by building contractors. On the other hand, a number of contractors in the construction industry must realise they have to pull up their socks. Obviously, it takes two to tango. Contractors are being subjected to a lot of pressure, and there are instances where the blame is squarely laid on their shoulders before they know it. In many instances it is noticed that construction workers have not been trained or educated enough. To most workers, the fact that they are wearing a safety helmet (when they do so, that is) is a sure sign they are complying to health and safety regulations and that, as such, their limbs are secure and they need not have any worries. They feel immune to any danger.

I am sure we are all in agreement that it is more important to take all precautions to avoid accidents rater than to fine a contractor for not abiding fully by health and safety regulations.

Indeed, it is regretful that few building contractors abide by such regulations and who do their best to have enforce these regulations on building site. A number of contractors I can only refer to as "cowboy contractors" ignore the sheer fact that the Occupational and Health Authority Act is in full force. Many others do not know what this laws implies or is all about.

In my opinion, there are a number of factors that are causing so many accidents (one accident is one too many) in the construction industry.

• Classification of contractors - A lot has been said and a lot has been done in this respect. Nothing was, however, implemented - a typical Maltese syndrome. Over 20 years ago, I, together with senior officials of the Works Department, was involved in preparing a report to the then minister responsible for works. An important item on our agenda was to advise on ways and means to classify contractors and to advise on how to go about such classification. The voluminous material must have been recycled by now.

One can be a good footballer but that does not necessarily mean or imply one is good or is capable of playing in the Premier League. Many building and civil engineering contractors, regrettably, readily engage in works beyond their capabilities. This does not necessarily mean they will not be able to qualify in the future.

Classification of building contractors will not only eliminate or, perhaps, minimise the possibility of major accidents on a building site but will also help in no small measure to organise this most important sector of the economy. I cannot but strongly opine that, given all the large projects in the pipeline, the classification of contractors is a sine qua non. Such an indispensable step would be in the interest of the government, the engineers and the architects and, ultimately, the contractors themselves. Why should building and civil engineering contractors not be licensed to function?

How many are the contractors who employ a suitable and qualified project manager on sizable projects who is resident on site to implement and ensure that the required health and safety regulations, among other duties, are being observed?

How many contractors have their tower and mobile cranes checked and certified on a regular bases and safety mechanism examined on a daily bases prior to commencing works with the records kept on site for inspection?

How many are the contractors who take all the necessary precautions required by law before demolition works take place?

How many contractors employ specialised workers when it comes to erecting scaffolding?

How many contractors provide a first aid room on site?

How many are the contractors who put up proper signage on site and provide workers with all the necessary safety gear?

How many contractors know what proper house keeping on a construction site means?

How many are those contractors who have a full-time health and safety officer on their books?

How many are the contractors who have their electrically-operated hand tools on site checked and certified by a licensed electrician on a regular basis?

How many contractors keep a daily record of their work force including sub contractors on building sites, ready and available for inspection?

How many are the contractors who carry a CAR insurance (contractor's all risk)?

A football team that does not perform to an acceptable standard during a particular season is relegated to a lower division. Similarly, a contractor who does not abide by the rules and regulations should be penalised by being demoted to a lower grade. But this can only take place if classification of building and civil engineering contractors is implemented.

I suggest that, with immediate effect, all building and civil engineering contractors should be made to display on site, in a prominent place, the name and address of their company and the name and telephone number of their project manager resident on site and responsible for the works. This person should be available, and reached, also after normal working hours.

• Foreign labour - There is another problem aggravating the situation even further. Owing to the shortage of Maltese workers in the construction industry, building contractors are being forced to employ anyone who comes along. The influx of refugees on building sites is there for all to see. Most of these people have never been employed on a construction site before and they do not speak English, let alone Maltese. Lack of communication is rampant. How can we then expect these people to abide by health and safety regulations? Does not one realise that, in these circumstances, these people are endangering their lives and those of others as well?

If I may ask: What is holding the authorities from issuing the necessary permits enabling building contractors to import foreign skilled and experienced workers once it is evident to the authorities themselves that such workers are not available on the island?

Could it be that the authorities are presuming that the Maltese contractors will plug this loophole through the employment of unskilled refugees, and, in this way, ease the financial burden on the government?

These unskilled unfortunate people could be doing other work to earn a living without, however, endangering their lives and that of others. On the other hand, it is readily agreed and conceded that when contractors employ foreign specialised and skilled labour in a legitimate way, under certain terms and conditions and for a specified period of time, these workers will, at the end of the day, be paying the relative taxes and, at the same time, contributing their share towards the Maltese economy.

Mr Xuereb is a former construction consultant. He is now retired.

Continues tomorrow