It really irks me to learn of yet another fatal incident on a construction site, such as the recent one which claimed the life of a young man at Pietà. One cannot imagine the pain and grief which his parents and siblings are going through at this moment.

In most cases these ‘accidents’ are totally avoidable as theyare invariably caused by inexistent, or faulty, health and safety practices.

As a practising architect, I notice such slackness regularly during site visits, and, though I do insist with the contractor and the owner (who at law is ultimately responsible) to adopt fully the recommendations of the health and safety officer, this is seen as a bother or inconvenience which can be done away with.

It is not the first time that I refuse to enter a site unless proper safe access is available for me and for the workers. Unfortunately many contractors (particularly small four to five- people firms) do not factor such cost in their quotations and hence try and avoid the cost.

This suits also some owners who prefer to reduce their costs. Even basic safety wear (hard hats, HV vests and safety shoes), when available, are left handy on site just in case the health and safety officer comes along.

It is therefore high time that the OHSA is furnished with enough staff to be able to carry out frequent, and sporadic, inspections on construction sites.

Concurrently, the law courts should stop being lenient on offenders and start to impose the full penalties on all those responsible who are constantly breaking the law.

It is high time that the construction industry in Malta is brought up to EU standards.