I HAVE to express my utmost concern over the hazardous manner in which our highway and road works contractors are managing road and public safety at their worksites particularly for the road users. 

Many contractors involved in upgrading works of our roads and highways do not observe road safety as shown by the inadequate and shoddy road signs, signals and markers placed at the worksite to warn motorists of hazards and dangers. 

Sometimes road works signs and signals are not put up appropriately, causing confusion to other motorists and resulting in danger for other road users especially at night. 

It appears to me that most roadwork contractors have no regard for road and public safety. The contractors occupy as much road space as possible, giving rise to public inconvenience and traffic congestion.  

The worksites are very disorderly, nearby drains are clogged up with construction debris leading to flash floods. 

A good example is the construction work taking place at the Kampung Pandan roundabout where flash floods frequently occur after a heavy downpour. 

Potholes are a common sight and authorities do not react until after much public complaints. 

The question I like to ask is why are these roadwork contractors not practicing occupational safety and health (OSH) at the worksites. Or is it they are insensitive to the importance of OSH management at their worksites? 

It is high time the relevant authority acts against errant roadwork contractors who have no regard for public safety. 

Do we have to wait for more accidents, fatalities and tragedies to occur before something drastic is done to ensure that all roadwork contractors practise good OSH management?  

Looking at the present state of affairs of our road-upgrading or construction works, I can safely conclude that we have first-class road and highway infrastructure but third-class mentality when it comes to the practice of safety and health at these worksites