by Rahim Said
In the bustling commercial hub of Bangsar South, amidst the towering office buildings and bustling streets, a somber event unfolded, highlighting a harsh reality often overlooked – the pressing need for stringent safety measures in the workplace.
A recent incident, shrouded in tragedy, saw the untimely demise of a 58-year-old air conditioning repairman, whose life was cut short while diligently performing his duties.
As he and his colleagues worked to repair a compressor on the seventh level of a 10-story commercial office building, tragedy struck. The iron railing, meant to provide support and safety, gave way beneath him, plunging him to his untimely death.
The horrifying thud of his body hitting the ground echoed through the building, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in seemingly mundane tasks.
The scene, described by witnesses, paints a grim picture. A delivery man nearby, alerted by a loud noise, rushed to the site and discovered the lifeless body, lying face down, surrounded by pools of blood. Beside him lay the fallen iron guardrail, a silent witness to the tragedy that had unfolded.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident was a result of the iron guardrail collapsing unexpectedly.
However, this raises serious questions about the maintenance and safety standards of the building. How could such a crucial component fail so catastrophically, leading to the loss of a precious life?
The need for a thorough investigation is evident, and the deceased’s body has been sent to the University of Malaya Medical Centre for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
But beyond the immediate need for answers lies a deeper issue – the pervasive disregard for workplace safety that plagues our society.
Why was he not wearing a harness?
Work safety is not a mere formality; it is a fundamental right that every worker deserves. Yet, all too often, it is sacrificed at the altar of expediency and negligence.
Employers must be held accountable for ensuring the safety of their workers, providing them with the necessary training, equipment, and supervision to carry out their tasks safely.
The loss of a life is a tragedy that should never be taken lightly. It is a stark reminder of the urgent need to reevaluate our approach to work safety and to prioritize the well-being of those who labour tirelessly to keep our society running.
Let us not forget this tragedy but let it serve as a catalyst for change, a call to action to ensure that such incidents never happen again.
Dr. Rahim Said is a human behaviourist and regular contributor on digital media platforms. He is a professional management consultant, a corporate trainer and an executive coach specialising in coaching of senior executives and individual entrepreneurs with the purpose of modifying their behaviour in the pursuit of their cherished missions. (The views expressed by our columnist are entirely his own)
WE