Construction Accidents: Maltese Construction Accident Stirs Debate on Work Safety

The deaths of two workmen in Hamrun, Malta has begun a debate on Maltese occupational health and safety standards. Godwin Buhagiar, a 44-year-old father of four, and a 23-year-old Serbian died when a newly-laid ceiling at the the construction site at which they were working collapsed. An accident at a different construction site the day before seriously injured a worker. Mark Gauci told the Malta independent that the participation of all involved in labor was needed for an overall improvement in occupational health and safety standards.

Tragic accident at construction site in Hamrun: Maltese victim was a father of four

Gauci says that while any accident that injures or kills a worker is reason for serious concern, the number of such accidents actually is on the decline. Gauci said that the number of workplace accidents this year was comparatively low and that this was the first accident that resulted in death. “We have had two accidents in two days now, but our statistics reflect a different scenario. OHSA is bound to carry out awareness and information campaigns, issue guidelines and enforce the legislative framework,” said Gauci.