A health and safety board could not assess most Paceville clubs, even following an ugly accident last October, because the authorities have failed to provide an updated list of the venues there, the Times of Malta was told.

This newspaper reported in November the Health and Safety Monitoring Board’s register of venues was so outdated it only listed six nightclubs in Paceville, including two that no longer exist.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had pledged stricter enforcement in the nightlife mecca after about 74 teenagers were injured when the glass banister of a nightclub collapsed during a mass exit.

The basic task of updating the register of venues has not been done, according to Charles Burlò, head of the government board tasked with conducting health and safety compliance checks.

He said when his team of inspectors visited Paceville to conduct routine inspections a few days ago they were only able to check those on their list and were therefore unable to go into most establishments. “We still do not have an updated list of nightclubs, despite chasing it for years. This means we can only inspect the few venues on our register,” he said.

The register features one club Gozo and a gentlemen’s club in Paceville, an area increasingly populated by such venues.

Many of those injured in the October accident, some as young as 13, sustained serious injuries. Dr Muscat had expressed his deep regret and concern about what had happened, pledging “the government will take all necessary measures to ensure that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again”.

No updated list of venues

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela then launched a public consultation process aimed at improving enforcement in Paceville. Subsequently, the government announced an increase in fines club owners could face for admitting underage patrons.

Mr Burlò said his hands were tied. His board had made extensive efforts trying to have the nightclub list updated for about two years. Last November, he had said he was being sent from one authority to another with no one assuming responsibility for providing him with an updated list of clubs.

He had told this newspaper he had all but given up. But there is light at the end of the tunnel as Mr Burlò said he had been contacted by the Malta Tourism Authority to discuss the matter.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported the government would be launching a public consultation on an upcoming, and “long overdue”, health and safety reform.

Among the changes being considered is the restructuring of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority to widen its remit. The OHSA is currently responsible for workplace inspections but not at public venues.

A government spokesman said other possibilities were being considered, such as strengthening other existing entities.

Mr Burlò said he had not been contacted about the reform and had not known it was on the cards before reading about it in this newspaper.

“I would like to know more about what is going on. Of course, we will cooperate and contribute towards improving health and safety across the island,” he said.