MSOSH URGES PROBE, STRICT ACTION AFTER STUDENT KILLED BY SICKLE CARRIED ON MOTORCYCLE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10  (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) has called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take firm action against the employer involved in an incident that claimed the life of a student in Teluk Intan, Perak, after he was struck by a long-handled sickle carried by another motorcyclist.

MSOSH president Datuk Wira Ahmad Fakhrul Anuar Ismail said the tragedy highlighted a clear failure to implement safe work practices, particularly when work equipment became a threat to public safety.

Negligence of this nature is completely unacceptable. If there was indeed an element of negligence in the conduct of work operations, the authorities, particularly the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), must take strict action against the employer and the employees involved.

“This tragedy should never have happened because it could have been prevented if proper safety controls had been implemented during work operations,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the victim’s family also had the right to consider legal action in seeking justice if negligence was proven to have led to the loss of life.

Ahmad Fakhrul said the incident also showed that safety awareness remains insufficient despite the various campaigns conducted previously.

In this regard, he stressed that efforts to strengthen safety awareness should be expanded to sectors that frequently use sharp tools, such as agriculture, landscaping and field work, to ensure equipment is handled and transported safely.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, he advised the public to take appropriate precautions when carrying sharp tools, including using protective covers to shield the blades and avoiding transporting such equipment in an exposed manner.

He also suggested that safer and more suitable transportation methods be used when handling hazardous equipment to minimise the risk of accidents.

“MSOSH also extends its condolences to the victim’s family and hopes that this incident will serve as a serious reminder for all parties to prioritise safety in every activity,” he said.

Yesterday, it was reported that Adham Faisal, 17, a student of Teluk Intan Agricultural Vocational College, died at the scene after sustaining severe neck injuries when the motorcycle he was riding came into close proximity with another motorcycle carrying a sharp tool.

--BERNAMA