Updated 3.50pm, adds MDA statement
Monday's shocking fatal incident of a construction worker in Sliema clearly failed to jolt other workers and their bosses into taking the necessary safety precautions, as this picture shows.
A picture shared on social media on Tuesday shows a workman operating an excavator on top of the roof he was demolishing, as another man stands on top watching.
Demolition works in Cannon Road, St Venera were stopped by the authorities on Tuesday morning after they were found to be in breach of health and safety standards.
"The place has been identified and works have been stopped," an Occupational Health and Safety spokesman said, after Times of Malta sent the picture of the works in question.
The image sparked anger just a day after a 26-year-old Libyan national plunged to his death at a Sliema construction site, his last moments captured on camera as he tried to hang on to dear life after the wooden plank he was working on gave way. He was not wearing any harness.
MDA statement
In a statement, the Malta Developers Association said it organised courses on health and safety procedures, among others, on a voluntary basis.
It said that for quite some time, it has been lobbying the authorities to establish a system of registration for all qualified workers in the construction industry.
Such qualifications would not just reflect the skill and aptitude of the worker concerned but would also ensure that workers attended a basic course on health and safety as part of the requirements for registration.
This should apply not only to workers employed with contractors but, more so, to those who carried out work as self-employed.
Moreover, legal obligations and responsibilities on hiring qualified persons would apply to anyone carrying out work, irrespective of whether one was a developer, a contractor or a private citizen.
Spotted a health and safety danger? Let the Occupational Health and Safety Authority know by calling 2124 7677 (9949 6786 outside of office hours) or by emailing ohsa@gov.mt.