Editorial | Construction industry: Amateurism that kills

The magisterial inquiry into the death of 20-year-old Jean Paul Sofia reveals several serious deficiencies in the construction industry that in this one case proved fatal.

The magistrate’s findings paint a picture of criminal behaviour, gross negligence and amateurism.

From fraudulent documents produced by the developers to lack of technical details and supervision by the responsible architect to the use of workers with no skills in construction, the inquiry report is shocking but not surprising.

In this particular incident, a young man was killed, which is why a massive spotlight was shone on the case. But it was not the only construction site incident in which workers were injured, or damage caused to third parties as a result of poor standards and skill.

Photos presented in the inquiry suggest the building collapsed outwards, rather than inwards, indicating structural failure of the lateral walls that were not tied to other structures.

The court-appointed expert noted that the planned double walls were not even tied together, as required in good workmanship. “This shortcoming has structural significance, because, in terms of lateral stiffness, a double wall tied together is four times stronger than two walls built next to each other.”

This reference is just one aspect out of many others listed in the inquiry as contributing towards the massive structural failure that led to the collapse.

The report is rife with shocking examples of poor workmanship that contributed to the tragedy.

This report should serve as a launch pad for serious introspection by the construction industry. From architects to developers; from construction companies to licensed builders; from service providers to regulators; everyone involved with the sector must study the findings and reflect on how to change things for the better.

Unfortunately, there is still too much amateurism involved in this sector with overnight developers relying on dubious contractors that employ unskilled workers. To make matters worse, there is an abject lack of site supervision by the professionals tasked to do so and the regulatory authorities.

In his testimony before the magistrate an official from the Building and Construction Authority said that site supervision is hampered by a lack of human resources. Not one inspection was carried out by the BCA during the two-and-a-half years that the Kordin factory was being constructed.

Furthermore, the system by which industrial sites are exempt from the need to apply for full development permits needs to be re-assessed. The objective behind this decision that predates the current administration was to expedite projects that created jobs and investment.

However, the magisterial inquiry notes that this fast-track approach to development in industrial estates has created a situation of laxity, by which developers believe that no or little controls are required.

While this leader believes in fast-track approaches to encourage investment and job creation, this should not be substitute supervision on safety considerations and proper workmanship.

A fast-track approach should not mean cutting corners on safety and proper construction techniques, and anyone caught doing so should be punished heavily.

Hopefully, the wider aspects surrounding the construction industry will be thoroughly probed by the public inquiry that will be led by Ombudsman Joseph Zammit McKeon.

The public inquiry should not only concern the death of Jean Paul Sofia but the administrative and regulatory structures that are connected in some way or another to the construction industry.

This is the least we can expect to ensure Sofia did not die in vain.