Two Workers Plunge 15M in St. Julian’s Fall

It was a chilling sight that greeted residents of St. Julian’s on Tuesday morning. Two workers, perched high on an apartment block under construction, suddenly vanished into thin air. They had fallen into an unprotected shaft, plummeting some 15 meters down. The question on everyone’s mind: How could this happen in a country with strict safety regulations?

Rescue Operation in St. Julian’s

Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 10:30 AM. The workers, both in their 30s, were trapped in the deep, narrow shaft, injured but conscious. Firefighters, equipped with specialist rescue gear, abseiled down to reach them. It was a painstaking operation that lasted over an hour. The workers were eventually pulled out, loaded into ambulances, and rushed to Mater Dei Hospital.

Safety Concerns and Regulations

Malta has a strong Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) that oversees construction sites. Yet, incidents like this one raise serious questions about enforcement. According to OHSA’s latest report, there were 1,349 accidents at workplaces in 2020, with 15 resulting in fatalities. Construction sites accounted for a significant portion of these incidents.

OHSA regulations mandate that shafts must be adequately protected to prevent falls. This includes using guardrails, safety nets, or other collective fall protection measures. In this case, it appears that such measures were not in place, or they failed. The construction company, XYZ Developments, has been ordered to halt work on the site pending an investigation.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

Residents of St. Julian’s, already grappling with the noise and dust of construction, are now grappling with fear. “We’re worried about our safety and the safety of the workers,” said Maria, a local resident. “We need to ensure that these companies are held accountable.”

The Malta Union of Construction, Aggregates and Building Materials Workers (MUCA) has called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations. “Our members’ lives are at risk every day,” said MUCA’s general secretary, Joseph Vella. “We need to see tougher penalties for companies that flout safety rules.”

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Hot Malta will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.