The Penang Occupational Safety and Health Department is probing the death of a 55-year-old telecommunications worker who died on 16 August, more than a month after an accident at a telecommunications tower in Juru, Simpang Ampat.
The department said the incident occurred at 4.45pm on 11 July at a telecommunications tower in Kampung Juru, a well-known industrial area in Seberang Perai. The victim was believed to have been carrying out corrective maintenance work when the accident happened, NST reported.
Penang DOSH director Hairozie Asri said initial investigations on 19 August found the victim was believed to have fallen while descending the tower after passing through a tower plinth, according to Astro Awani.
“Following the investigation, a letter of direction was issued to the relevant party to submit documents and information related to the accident for further investigation,” the department said in a statement.
The investigation is being conducted under Sections 15(1), 17(1) and 18B of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, along with related occupational safety and health regulations. Section 15(1) covers the duty of employers to ensure the safety of employees, while Section 17(1) addresses the duty to provide a safe workplace and safe systems of work. Section 18B deals with the duty of the occupier of premises to ensure safety.
The victim’s identity has not been disclosed. No statement has been obtained from the telecommunications company or the worker’s next of kin as of publication.
The case marks the second fatal workplace accident in Penang within two months. On 1 July, an Indonesian construction worker was killed at a Bandar Tanjong Pinang construction site after being struck by a scaffolding platform that fell from the eighth floor of a building. DOSH subsequently issued a prohibition notice to halt all work at that site pending its ongoing investigations.
DOSH said it takes all workplace accidents seriously and reminded employers to conduct risk assessments, maintain safe work areas and access routes, and implement appropriate safety and risk-control measures to prevent similar incidents. The department also urged all employers in Penang to prioritise workers’ safety, health and welfare at all times.
