After reading about the various tragic accidents that happened at the place of work over the past weeks, I could not help but call the Occupational Health and Safety Authority on a Saturday morning. I had seen two huge trucks, one of them laden down with building bricks unloading in A. Ferris Street, Msida. This road is also the roof of many underlying garages and three blocks of residential apartments are built adjacent to it. At the beginning of the road there is a sign saying that only vehicles under five (5) tons can go through.

When I called the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, an answering machine referred me to the mobile number of the emergency service. I must say the official on duty was very helpful but unfortunately helpless. When I asked what emergencies he is on call for, he replied that he was only bound to intervene in case of an accident.

I tried calling the Msida Local Council but got no answer. I called the local wardens office since there was a warden on site and asked if the contractor doing the job had a Risk Assessment of the work being carried out. The impression I got was that I was talking in a completely different language. When I explained, I was told that the warden is only there to divert traffic. My last resort was to call the Msida Police Station. The officer on duty there told me that since the Local Council had given permission for the work, the police could not do anything.

So, my advice to all of you who ignore the law in similar circumstances, do it on the weekend! And to all of you responsible individuals, you must feel frustrated living in a country where rules of the jungle are still valid albeit all the talk, laws, legal notices and authorities.

H. Scifo

MSIDA