MRR2 Steel Canopy Collapse: Skylift Boom Collision Blamed

Following the recent incident where a woman’s Suzuki Swift was crushed by a falling steel structure on the MRR2, authorities have now revealed what led to the collapse. The temporary steel canopy that struck the moving car on Tuesday (Nov 18) is believed to have fallen after being hit by a skylift boom.

Selangor’s Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) said in a statement that the incident occurred during a paint-thickness inspection carried out by subcontractor Wuhan Construction Sdn Bhd.

Initial findings showed that the steel frame was only a temporary canopy meant to prevent objects from dropping onto the road. It was never designed to withstand an impact load, which likely caused it to fail once struck.

The Public Works Department (KKR) has since ordered all remaining structures at the site to be removed immediately to prevent further danger.

DOSH also revealed that the high-risk work was carried out without written approval from the main contractor, China Communication Construction Sdn Bhd. A notice has now been issued under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, halting all paint inspection activities until a proper safety system is created and approved.

The canopy was part of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, and construction in the affected area has been suspended since the incident. The driver involved escaped without injuries.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad later visited the site. He emphasised that the safety of workers and the public must not be compromised, and reminded all contractors and subcontractors to follow construction safety regulations and carry out thorough risk assessments from the design stage onward.

He also instructed that a full investigation is to be carried out to determine the exact cause of the collapse and ensure action is taken if any parties failed to meet safety requirements.

Source: The Star