Imagine, if you will, the bustling construction site at Tigné Point, St. Julian’s. The sun beats down on steel girders and concrete slabs, as workers in hard hats and high-vis vests go about their tasks. Now, picture the minister of labour, industrial relations and employment, standing there, his voice echoing over the din, “No room for shortcuts.” This was no idle warning.

Minister Carmelo Abela recently visited several construction sites across Malta, sending a clear message about health and safety standards. “Shortcuts are not an option,” he stated, “We must prioritise the safety of our workers.” His words come amidst a string of accidents and near-misses in the construction industry, a sector that employs over 17,000 people in Malta.

In 2021 alone, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) recorded 136 accidents in the construction sector. While this represents a decrease from previous years, it’s a stark reminder of the risks faced by workers. The most common causes? Falls from height, electrocution, and being struck by moving objects.

Take, for instance, the incident at the Msida Creek development last year. A worker fell from the fifth floor of a building under construction, suffering severe injuries. Or the near-miss at the SmartCity project in Kalkara, where a falling object narrowly missed a worker below.

Malta’s construction industry operates under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, which outlines employers’ duties towards their employees. Yet, enforcement remains a challenge. OHSA inspectors are outnumbered, and some employers still cut corners to save time or money.

Minister Abela acknowledged these challenges, pledging stronger enforcement and stricter penalties for non-compliance. “We will not tolerate any employer who puts profit before the safety of their workers,” he said.

But enforcement alone is not enough. The minister also called for a cultural shift in the industry. “We need to instil a culture of safety in every worker, from the site manager to the apprentice,” he said.

Training is key. The Institute of Construction Management (ICM) offers courses in health and safety, while the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) trains future construction workers in safety protocols. Yet, more needs to be done to ensure every worker is competent and confident in their safety responsibilities.

As Malta’s construction boom continues, so too must our commitment to safety. Every worker deserves to return home safe and sound at the end of their shift. It’s not just a legal requirement; it’s a moral imperative.

Remember, every accident is preventable. Every near-miss is a wake-up call. Let’s heed the minister’s warning and ensure there’s “no room for shortcuts” in Malta’s construction industry.

As one worker at the Tigné Point site put it, “We’re not just building structures, we’re building lives. And we need to do it safely.”