The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said that they have taken immediate action over an incident in Qormi where a person’s ceiling collapsed in her home due to construction works next to it.

In two separate statements on Sunday, the OHSA and BCA said that the entities are in constant contact and assistance with each other, having also taken action after following the latest developments of works in Triq l-Iskola, Qormi.

In a post on a public group on Facebook last Friday, Charlotte Falzon, the owner of the house whose ceiling collapsed due to adjacent works, said that when a house is demolished, the owner must acquire insurance for all facades, sides and back of the house, all which touch third parties.

Falzon said that the Planning Authority gave permission for work to continue on the demolition of the house with only two insurances, and had ‘forgotten’ her property.

“Thank God only that there was no family member of mine in this room when the ceiling collapsed,” Falzon had said, adding that the architect involved does not want to assume responsibility given that the PA had given permission for works to continue.

Falzon also said that the BCA had told her that works was not meant to commence.

The OHSA said that immediate action was taken through the execution of a preliminary on-site inspection and has started its own investigations.

The BCA said that in the past week, including earlier on Sunday, the entity has continued to assist the third-party affected by works, by having officials visit the site, conduct the necessary inspections, and verified facts.

It also said that the authority took action and issued a stop work notice.

The BCA referred to reports on social media related to the case, and clarified that it has been following up on the case since December of last year.

“The Authority remains in continuous contact with the affected person, providing all necessary assistance, and is committed to resolving this situation as soon as possible,” it said, adding that it is in constant contact with the OHSA.

Falzon on Facebook, while thanking all who offered their help, confirmed that works have stopped, and that she has been in continuous contact with the BCA as well as Ministries where they are continuously updating her with ongoing developments.

She said that the authorities are looking at her home’s safety as there is still danger to the structure.