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

He insisted that 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.

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

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.

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