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James Debono
A set of new building regulations, aimed at addressing health and safety issues on constuction sites, is still in draft form three years after being tabled in parliament in 2004, MaltaToday has learnt.
The new rules were drawn up to cover important health and safety aspects such as work practices, equipment, fire safety and construction materials, all of which fall under the remit of Resources Minister Ninu Zammit.
If enacted and properly enforced, the regulations would have translated into additional expenses and pressures for Malta’s powerful construction industry. But last Tuesday’s fatal tragedy, in which two construction workers were crushed under a collapsed roof, shed light on the urgent need for enforcement.
Contacted by MaltaToday, a ministry official said that the bill is still being discussed with all the stakeholders concerned. “Once the consultation process is finalised it will be presented to Parliament for
enactment,” the ministry spokesman said.
MaltaToday is informed that the last meeting on this issue with the Kamra tal-Periti took place more than a year ago.
According to the Resources Ministry website, the new bill, entitled “The Registration of Building Industry Contractors and the Building Industry Control Act”, will make it mandatory for tradesmen and contractors wishing to practice their profession in the building industry to be registered with an officially appointed organisation.
With regard to building regulations, the proposed bill aims at introducing “self regulation” in building works, by requiring warranted architects and engineers to ensure that the design and construction of buildings conforms to the building regulations.
The bill envisages the setting up of a “Building Regulations Board” with the task of keeping Malta’s building regulations up to date with developments in new building technologies, materials, mechanical and electrical services, as well as health and safety requirements.
It also stipulates the establishment of a Building Control Office, with the responsibility to monitor conformity with the new regulations and, where necessary, take legal action for enforcement. Meanwhile, a Building Control Dispute Board will decide on matters of controversy arising between the Building Control Office and developers, architects or engineers regarding the interpretation of regulations.
However, the only legislation so far introduced by the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure was a legal notice on energy conservation in new buildings. This law requires every new building to have a cistern. But no enforcement body currently exists to enforce this legislation.
New environmental regulations to go ahead
But while the health and safety overhaul has been stalled for three years, the launch of another new set of building regulations, this time concerning the environmental management of construction sites, will go ahead as planned.
Shortly to be presented by Environment Minister George Pullicino, the new rules were originally scheduled for launch at a press conference last Tuesday, which had to be postponed because of the Hamrun tragedy that occurred on the same day.
The new regulations are aimed at minimising the nuisance factor of construction sites to neighbours – involving mainly dust and noise levels, as well as working hours and conditions – are expected to be introduced gradually over the next two years. But they will not cover safety issues.
Enforcement of the new rules will be the responsibility of MEPA, and will commence in the seven localities with the highest number of new developments, eventually extending to cover all parts of Malta.
The first seven localities to reap the benefits of the new environmental rules will include Sliema and Swieqi – two localities in districts contested by Minister George Pullicino, and where the government faces residents’ anger over the havoc wreaked by the construction industry in recent years.
The new rules are expected to introduce more accountability, as developers will have to exhibit a notice containing details of the developer, the architect and the site manager, as well as an emergency phone number.
One of the most innovative aspects of the new rules is that developers will also be expected to deposit a bank guarantee to pay for any damage to pavements and street furniture.
The new document is expected to be issued for public consultation during the next four weeks. |
