A 40‑YEAR-OLD Indonesian worker lost his life on Friday after the readymix concrete truck he was operating overturned into the basement of a construction site at Penang Hospital.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:42 a.m., when the truck reportedly lost control while supplying concrete to the underground construction area, leaving the driver trapped in the vehicle. Emergency responders from the Penang Fire and Rescue Department confirmed the man’s death at the scene.
Hairozie Asri, Director of the Penang office of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP), stated that the agency received an immediate report of the incident and that preliminary investigations revealed serious safety risks at the site.
“Following this accident, JKKP has issued two prohibition notices against the readymix concrete activities conducted by the contractor and has barred the use of access routes to the concrete batching plant until the investigation is completed,” Hairozie said in a statement on Sunday.
The department’s action aims to prevent any further accidents and to allow for a thorough inquiry into the exact cause of the incident.
Hairozie emphasised that further investigations are ongoing, and appropriate legal action will be taken under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514) if any safety regulations were breached.
“JKKP treats every workplace accident with utmost seriousness and will not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings against any employer who fails to comply with occupational safety and health laws,” he added.
He also reminded employers, contractors, and all relevant parties to prioritise safety at construction sites to safeguard the welfare and lives of workers.
The fatal accident follows reports of other workplace incidents, highlighting ongoing concerns about construction site safety.
In this case, the truck reportedly lost its balance while manoeuvring in the basement, causing the driver to be crushed within the vehicle. - February 8, 2026
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