Improving the safety standards of the MRT SSP Line has always been a priority for MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) Sdn Bhd and its Work Package Contractors (WPC).
Given the densely built environment of Kuala Lumpur and the tight corridors within which the MRT SSP Line is being constructed, ensuring the safety of the project team, workers, as well as the public is essential.
The public must feel that the contractors working on this project are operating at a very safe environment, cognisant of the safety requirements in place and capable of dealing with emergencies that occur during construction.
To ensure this, MMC Gamuda as Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the MRT SSP Line, has mandated safety specifications beyond the industry authority requirements.
This includes the introduction of compulsory drill exercises to be completed by each WPC in the presence of authorities every six months.
Yesterday, MTD Construction Sdn Bhd, WPC for the section of the line between Taman Pinggiran Putra and Persiaran Alpina, conducted their mandatory emergency response drill at their Taman Pinggiran Putra construction site.
The purpose of the drill was to ensure a smooth, organised and effective execution of safety practices within the project team. It was also to educate and train the Emergency Response Team (ERT) on what actions need to be taken in an actual emergency at work site and to ascertain that adequate planning, coordination and preparedness had been undertaken by the project management team.
The scenario saw the site supervisor react to an incident in which a winch dropped and hit a worker, injuring his left leg. The supervisor was required to inform the project manager who then activated the ERT for further action and called the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA) to assist in rescuing the victim from the top platform of the Launching Gantry (LG).
The emergency drill started at 10:36AM and the first BOMBA response unit arrived 8 minutes later. The BOMBA team was timed and managed to rescue the victim from the LG platform within 20 minutes. The drill was completed by 11:06AM and about 30 workers participated in the drill.
Goh Lian Chin, Project Manager Package V208, MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) Sdn Bhd said having an emergency drill allows the project management team, ERT and site workers to understand their roles and responsibilities in an emergency situation.
“The drill serves as a good training ground for the project team as they can apply theory into practise. Besides, we are also able to validate the effectiveness of WPC’s Emergency Response Plan,” he said.
“I believe that with continuous training, we will be able to improve our responses and abilities in carrying out not only rescue operations but also provide medical assistance during emergency situations.”
Ahmad Faiz Bin Awang, Project Manager (Launching Gantry Specialist), Persys Sdn Bhd said taking part in the drill was a reminder that the nature of the job was risky and that all parties involved should be mindful that untoward incidents can happen at any time.
“From the drill, we have learned to always be prepared for challenging situations at the worksite,” he said.
“Clear and precise communication with good teamwork between the workers, site supervisor and ERT is the key in keeping everyone calm and able to follow instructions during an emergency situation.”
Across the last three years of the MRT SSP Line project, some 14,000 workers and 8,000 staff have undergone specialist Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) training.
For more information about MMC Gamuda’s SHE initiatives for the MRT SSP Line, click here.
