As the sun rose over Birkirkara’s industrial estate on Tuesday morning, the clatter of falling metal echoed through the air. A section of scaffolding at the Recycle Malta facility had given way, sending workers scrambling and leaving several injured.

Scene of the Accident

The incident occurred at around 8:30 AM, just as the facility was gearing up for another day of sorting and recycling. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with debris scattered across the yard and workers rushing to assist their colleagues.

“I was just parking my car when I heard the noise,” said Joe, a long-time employee at a nearby factory. “I looked over and saw the scaffolding on the ground. It was a scary moment.”

Injuries and Response

Five workers were injured in the collapse, with two sustaining serious injuries and being rushed to Mater Dei Hospital. The other three were treated at the scene for minor injuries and released.

The Malta Police Force and Civil Protection Department were quick to respond, cordoning off the area and ensuring the safety of those present. The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

Recycle Malta’s Response

Recycle Malta released a statement expressing their concern for the injured workers and their families. “We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate the cause of this incident,” the statement read. “Safety is our top priority, and we will do everything in our power to ensure this does not happen again.”

This is not the first time Recycle Malta has faced safety concerns. In 2019, the OHSA served the facility with an improvement notice following an inspection that revealed several safety lapses.

When asked about the 2019 incident, a Recycle Malta spokesperson said, “We have taken significant steps to improve our safety protocols since then. We are committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees.”

Impact on Operations

The collapse has led to temporary closure of the affected section of the facility. Recycle Malta has assured the public that their collection services will not be disrupted, as other sections of the facility remain operational.

However, environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential backlog of recyclables that could accumulate while the facility is partially closed. “We hope that Recycle Malta can resume full operations as soon as possible to avoid any disruption in our recycling efforts,” said a spokesperson for Greenpeace Malta.

As the investigation into the scaffolding collapse continues, one thing is clear: safety must remain a top priority for Recycle Malta and all workplaces across Malta. The injured workers and their families deserve nothing less.