Ipoh quarry ordered to halt operations after fatal rockfall

IPOH: A deadly rockfall at a quarry in Keramat Pulai, Simpang Pulai has forced the temporary halt of operations. The Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman, Datuk A. Sivanesan, revealed that the Perak Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) issued a Prohibition Notice, temporarily closing the site pending investigations.

The tragic incident occurred when a large rock fell, crushing the lorry driver, M. Sivakumar, 53, about 4.40pm on Monday. The blasting work at the site had taken place earlier that day, at around 1pm, but the fatal rockfall was sudden and not immediately following the blasting. The victim, who was waiting his turn to enter the quarry area, was trapped in the lorry cabin and pronounced dead by Health Ministry personnel at 5.50pm.

This is the first such incident since the quarry, employing 27 workers including two foreigners, began operations in 1989. There have been no previous accidents reported to the DOSH. The victim was also insured through the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), and his family will receive the compensation due to them. The Perak DOSH director, Mohd Hazlim Husain, alongside Datuk Sivanesan, confirmed that the earthquake reported in Gerik on Aug 28 was not related to the quarry incident.