PUTRAJAYA: The government has been urged to conduct a yearly audit for all old high-rise accommodation to ensure the safety of their tenants.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the audit should also be applied to old office buildings to identify possible risks.
He said conducting such safety inspection on old buildings could ensure any problems, weaknesses and risks could be identified fast so that repair works could be carried out.
“Safety concerns are something that we can put off and ignore which require the government to give priority on safety aspect to protect the people (those working or residing in such old buildings),” said Lee at an occupational health and safety campaign held at the Pembinaan Mitrajaya Sdn Bhd project site here in Presint 5.
Also present were Malaysian Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners’ Association president Datuk Dr Kanagaraja Raman and Pembinaan Mitrajaya project director Andy See Wee Wah.
Lee said this in reference to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin’s recent statement, saying the government is empowered to repair and rebuild flats, which are 30 years and above under the National Housing Policy.
The minister said this following evacuation of 222 Taman Keramat Permai flat Block F residents due to safety concern when large cracks appeared at the building on Friday.
The structural concern of the old flat was reported to have become quite dire, as the entire block appeared to be tilted to one side.
The Niosh president also lauded Pembinaan Mitrajaya for its initiative to promote occupational safety and health, especially at its work sites, urging other stakeholders to do the same.