Engineers who certify cranes fit for use are guilty of serious shortcomings and the authorities should update laws to avoid accidents, according to a top engineer.

Malta lacks a culture of risk assessment for crane use, especially in densely populated areas or in cases of heavy or dangerous lift operations, Paul Cardona warned.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority needed to consider the current regulatory needs within the industry as these changed with the introduction of new equipment and technology, noting his suggestions to the authorities fell on deaf ears.

There is no political will to do things the correct way

Mr Cardona, an engineer for the past 44 years, has worked in Japan, Singapore and the UK.

He was contacted by The Sunday Times of Malta after another crane jib last month buckled in Triq San Pawl, Xemxija, prompting concerns over whether the structures hovering in the sky are safe.

According to Mr Cardona, regulations were still not updated in line with today’s needs.

“There is no political will to do things the correct way and we tend to work in a reactive manner instead of taking a proactive approach to reduce accidents.”

One of Mr Cardona’s main concerns is that anyone with a mechanical engineer warrant can, according to the law, certify a crane as fit for use.

Building contractors must have a crane certified before it can be used on a site but they are not bound by law to submit a copy to the OHSA. The authority’s officials can, however, demand to see all relevant documentation, including the certificate, during random inspection visits to construction sites.

“However, if you are a mechanical engineer graduate, it does not mean you are an expert on cranes,” he said, adding that engineers were competing on who offered the cheapest price for the certificate.

Mr Cardona noted that Italy had a system where only specialists could issue a certificate. He questioned whether an engineer has ever been held responsible following an accident and whether an investigation into a crane’s certification has ever been held.

He said Malta lacked a culture of risk assessment for the use of a crane, especially in densely populated areas or in cases of heavy or dangerous lift operations.

The OHSA should ask for a risk assessment from a qualified person in such instances, while for normal operations the crane operator should be able to carry out a simple risk assessment himself, as is the norm in the UK, he added.

“There is an urgent need for a technical board made up of experienced people from different fields, set up by the government to help the authorities, including updating health and safety regulations.”

The engineer also called on the Chamber of Engineers, of which he is a member, to enter into discussions with the authorities.

When contacted, chamber president Norman Zammit said Mr Cardona was one of the chamber’s pioneers. “From the feedback we have about our members, the engineers are aware of the Code of Ethics and conduct their work in the most professional manner but it has always been a continuous process.”

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