Claudia Calleja
Fatal visit to building site
A metal hook lies on the ground at a Sliema construction site after it got detached from a steel wire and hit Zaren Baldacchino in the chest, killing him on the spot. Photo: Jason Borg
Zaren Baldacchino, 59, was visiting his son on a Sliema construction site yesterday morning when the steel wire of a tower crane snapped and its metal hook fell on him, killing him on the spot.
Mr Baldacchino, from Siġġiewi, was standing in Sir Arthur Mercieca Street where the large crane was set up.
The wire supporting the pulley block snapped and the metal hook attached to it struck Mr Baldacchino “in the chest area”, sources said.
He was already dead when the ambulance arrived.
Sources said Mr Baldacchino had gone to visit his son, the owner of Emanuel Baldacchino and Co. Limited, the contractors working at the site. The victim was not involved in the construction work.
The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) said it inspected the site and found that, at the time of the accident, the crane was not loaded.
“The crane was not being used to lift any object, so overload has been ruled out as the cause of the accident,” the authority said.
It will be carrying out further investigations to understand what caused the wire to give way.
The police cordoned off the area until court-appointed experts and OHSA officers carried out two separate inquiries.
A man who works in the area said he heard a very loud crashing sound immediately followed by “loud crying”.
Passersby commented on the general lack of safety in the area, where tower cranes have become part of the landscape.
In fact, there are at least four other building sites around the block. Another tower crane has been set up in a parallel road.
In the statement, the OHSA reminded construction workers to follow regulations regarding the operation of cranes and large lifting machinery. Not making specific reference to this incident, the authority said regulations spoke of inspecting the equipment each time it was assembled on a new site.
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11 Comments
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Francis Borg
Feb 4th, 23:07
There is more than meets the eye in this story and associated photo.
1. If the hook (assuming they are referring to that in the picture) gave the fatal blow to this poor man it looks very suspicious to me how the same piece of metal managed to gouge out such a hole in concrete floor after loosing most of its energy on the man's body.
2.If it hit the ground first then it would seem unlikely to have bounced back to give the fatal blow.
3.That chain arrangment is more likely to be used to tie a small load - girders, blocks, etc. which can swing if not carefully managed to provide a fatal blow but then of course I forget, it was not loaded.
Joe Grech
Feb 3rd, 22:07
Time and time again we are reminded that the so called Occupational Health and Safety Authority is just one big sham. Are the top people running this ''Authority'' really up to the job or are they just political nominees? That is the question which people keep asking. and it is the responsibility of this administration to dispel rumours.....
What on earth is going on?
E. Azzopardi
Feb 3rd, 16:21
It is more worrying if the crane was not loaded. Therefore, in my opinion, how did the cable snap? Can you imagine what a bigger disaster it would have been if it were loaded? We have a crane hoovering everyday over our roof in Sliema, with three or four large concrete blocks on one side. Can those responsible, including the authorities, GUARANTEE , that this is safe? Are the regulations of the so called MEPA being adhered to? Obviously, to ensure this, there must be serious inspections. Are there????
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 3rd, 13:42
The safety certs. of this crane must be examined thoroughly. I wonder how often tests are carried out on building site equipment in Malta?
Jay Oatmon
Feb 3rd, 11:21
A typical 'muddle through and don't upset the developers' approach to safety - no one is accountable under the law and no one is responsible for enforcement, everyone involved has plenty of wriggle room.
The EU should take note and withhold funds until proper laws, action and enforcement is applied to the construction industry in Malta - no one in Malta will do anything except express grief and wring their hands.
Mr Adrian Zahra
Feb 3rd, 11:15
Just a look at the meta loop (shackle) in the picture will give you the exact precise reason why this happen.
julian caruana
Feb 3rd, 09:49
so this could have been any passer by in the street???, what about when the cranes have to pass over third party property??? it could have been a woman with two kids or someone hanging his washing???
Lovely.....
aldo Attard
Feb 3rd, 12:31
Exactly. What right have these pillar cranes to operate and work over any body's air space.
We are constantly being put in danger without any authority just raising a finger.
Without mentioning the dangerous potholes and other hazards.
After the event we are all very wise.
Kondoljanzi lil familjari and may they find all the help they surely need in this hour of need.
Peter Murray
Feb 3rd, 09:28
Inspection of the certificattion and age of the lifting equipment or machinery should be carefully scrutinised as well as the maintenance and testing/recalibration programme and the OHSA do not have to remind anyone of their responsiblities -simply robustly ensure they are in place and complied with on a very regular basis!
Mr Tony Gatt
Feb 3rd, 13:45
Anywhere else in Europe it's compulsory- but in Malta, even if a cert. is given, how genuine is it?
Paul Portelli
Feb 3rd, 09:24
kondoljanzi il familjari fdan il mument.