Three laborers die after crane collapses

Three laborers die after crane collapses

Evi Mariani, Jakarta

Three construction workers died instantly and three others were
injured after a crane, which they were working on, collapsed on
Monday at around 10:30 a.m.

The six workers had not been using the proper safety equipment
while working on the ongoing construction of the 12th level of
Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) Suites apartment
building in Senayan, South Jakarta.

According to Law No. 13/2003 on manpower, all companies must
apply a health and work safety system that is integrated into
their management system.

PT Jamsostek insurance company reported 103,804 work-related
accidents took place in 2002 and 104,774 in 2001 nationwide.

Meanwhile, the International Labor Organization (ILO) recently
reported that around 2.2 million people die annually due to their
jobs. From that figure, 350,000 people are killed due to
accidents in the workplace.

The workers work on a daily basis with a Rp 25,000 (US$2.89)
daily stipend. The contractor of the construction is PT
Perusahaan Pembangunan (PP). Its headquarters is located on Jl.
TB Simatupang No. 57, South Jakarta.

Only two of the three fatalities were identified as Daniel and
Bahok. Another worker has not yet been identified.

The three injured workers -- Wagimin, 47, Sugiyanto, 42, and
Rebo, 21 -- were observed at the Pertamina Hospital in Kebayoran
Baru, South Jakarta, wearing casual clothes.

Wagimin, who only suffered minor injuries, was wearing a batik
shirt and short pants. He was barefoot and no sturdy work boots
were visible around his bed in the hospital's Emergency Room.

"The incident happened so fast... I can't remember the
details. All I knew was we were falling so fast. I could only
think of how to save my life, so I gripped tightly onto something
like a rope that was within my reach," he said.

In the afternoon, Wagimin and Sugiyanto, who also suffered
minor injuries, were discharged from the hospital. But Rebo, who
suffered severe wounds to his left temple, had to stay overnight.

Witnesses at the site said the three had died instantly as
they had jumped from the falling crane before it touched the
ground.

No official statement, either from the construction supervisor
or the police, was available to explain the cause of the
accident.

Kebayoran Baru Police detective chief First Insp. Robert De
Deo said the police would investigate the case to identify
whether the incident was caused by human error or the negligence
of the company.

"We have yet to question any officials of the contractor
because they are on holiday. We will summon them tomorrow," he
said.

Many companies compensate for accidents in the workplace by
covering all medical expenses, or giving the families of the
victims money. The families usually take the compensation and do
not report the incident to the police, believing that the death
of their loved one was simply a matter of fate.