JOHOR BARU: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) wants local authorities to introduce a safety audit requirement for billboard structures.
Its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said state governments and other relevant authorities, namely the Malaysian Highway Authority and local councils, should impose the new ruling for billboards to be inspected at least once every five years.
"Due to wear and tear and unpredictable weather and wind conditions, companies that put up the advertisement boards must be made responsible for monitoring and checking the structure of the billboards.”
Lee said the move was in line with public safety.
"The relevant authorities have to introduce this ruling and not allow advertising companies to just build the structure and leave it without further inspections," Lee said when asked to comment on a case in Malacca where a large "Don't Mess with Malacca" billboard collapsed and fatally crushed a motorcyclist along Jalan Limbongan here on Tuesday.
The motorcyclist had reportedly stopped at the Pokok Mangga - Jalan Klebang traffic light junction when he was struck by the advertisement board that collapsed following strong winds and rain.
The victim was Ahmad Yusof Omar, 64, a security guard from Taman Tangga Batu, Tanjung Keling.
Lee was speaking after visiting the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Tampoi here today.
Lee, who is also Eco World Foundation (EWF) chairman, had accompanied EWF volunteers to the school to create a garden to enhance the school’s environment and inculcate a love for the environment among the young.
The group, comprising 40 volunteers, also painted a mural.
"The foundation will identify more Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools nationwide, and help to make the school environment more conducive for studying," he said.