DOSH conducting detailed probe into roller-coaster incident
PETALING JAYA: The occupational safety and health department (DOSH) says it is conducting a detailed probe, including a forensic investigation, into Saturday’s roller-coaster incident at Sunway Lagoon, which left 10 visitors injured.
DOSH director-general Hazlina Yon said the department takes the incident seriously, noting that under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), responsibility for ensuring the safety, health and welfare of employees and the public falls on the employer.
“Amendments to the Act in 2022 also require employers to conduct occupational safety and health risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures set out in safety risk assessment reports.
“Employers or owners are responsible for ensuring that machines at theme parks are inspected, tested and maintained according to the manufacturer’s requirements by competent and suitably qualified persons,” she said in a statement.
Hazlina said the safety and health of employees and the public must remain the priority of all theme park owners.
“If investigations uncover a breach of Act 514, DOSH will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible in accordance with the law,” she said.
She also said her department will consider whether targeted inspections of high-risk machinery at theme parks nationwide are necessary.
“This includes evaluating maintenance requirements, the competency of personnel operating the machines, and owners’ or employers’ compliance with safe operating procedures,” she said.
Sunway Group founder Jeffrey Cheah said yesterday the authorities are investigating the incident, which he said may have been caused by metal fatigue.
He said police have ruled out foul play in the incident, which occurred at about 9pm and involved 22 riders aged between 11 and 44, including local and foreign visitors.
No deaths were reported.
Separately, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the state government is waiting for a technical report on the incident from police.
Bernama quoted him as saying the state government will also investigate the matter once it receives the technical report.
