Watch: 'Scared To Stay In, Scared To Leave The House'

By Mario Borg In a distressing incident captured on video in Birkirkara, a scaffolding collapse narrowly missed hitting a family’s home, raising serious concerns about safety hazards and construction

By Mario Borg

In a distressing incident captured on video in Birkirkara, a scaffolding collapse narrowly missed hitting a family’s home, raising serious concerns about safety hazards and construction negligence.

The incident has left Charmaine, a mother-of-two living next to the construction site, infuriated as she feels her pleas for assistance have been falling on deaf ears.

Charmaine expressed her daily struggles of living near the construction site in an interview with Newsbook, stating that despite seeking help from various authorities, including the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), she received no support.

The stress and constant noise from the ongoing works, along with the vibrations transmitted, have made it unbearable for the family to stay inside their own home.

One of the most significant impacts has been on her children’s education. The construction noises and disturbances have made it extremely difficult for them to concentrate on their studies.

Comparing her situation to a war zone, Charmaine called on the government to take action and address her plea.

In a heartfelt letter, she referenced two fatal incidents, one where Miriam Pace tragically lost her life when her house collapsed under rubble, and another case of JeanPaul Sofia, who lost his life when a construction site collapsed in December 2022. Charmaine pointed out that both these incidents were a result of greed and a lack of proper safety measures.

Reflecting on the recent incident outside her home, Charmaine expressed her fear that she and her family could have been the ones affected. The constant anxiety caused by sudden loud noises has taken a toll on her mental well-being.

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In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the Building and Construction Authority stated that they were aware of the construction works and had been in contact with the person who filed the complaint.

BCA officers were sent to the site of the incident on the day and instructed the workers to implement necessary safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The site was also inspected.

Charmaine’s case continues to shed light on the need for more stringent safety regulations and the importance of addressing the concerns of residents living near construction sites.

The incident serves as yet another grim reminder of the potential dangers that negligence in the construction industry can pose to innocent lives.

As authorities work to try and improve construction safety, the plea from Charmaine and others in similar situations remains urgent and deserving of serious attention.

What do you think of the state of health and safety in the construction industry?

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“I have children in here!” Charmaine, can be heard shouting in the short video showing the scene from the road after a wooden plank, metal pipes and other tools and materials collapsed onto her house’s facade. “You could have killed us!”Comparing her situation to a war zone, Charmaine called on the government to take action and address her plea.In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the Building and Construction Authority stated that they were aware of the construction works and had been in contact with the person who filed the complaint.The incident serves as yet another grim reminder of the potential dangers that negligence in the construction industry can pose to innocent lives.What do you think of the state of health and safety in the construction industry?

Teachers as change agents and knowledge creators

In the Herald: May 11, 1957