BAM international under fire over workers safety in Tanzania

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BAM international is being investigated for laxity that caused serious injuries to one of the Occupational Safety and Health Authority’s workers. The workers are working on Terminal 3 building site at Julius Nyerere International Airport.

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BAM International is the operating company of Royal BAM Group. It is one of Europe’s largest contracting companies. It is currently  constructing Terminal 3 building site at Julius Nyerere International Airport. OSHA  is accusing them of failing to adhere to safety regulations, consequently causing an accident.

The accident

The accident involving the truck driver took place on the 7th of September. This is after he got an electric shock at the Terminal 3 construction site. Apparently workers have complained to BAM management in vain about a live, lose electric cables at the site. Martin Otieno  who is the Airport Police Commander gave confirmation about  the accident.

According to (OSHA) 48 hours after the incident had taken place, BAM had not reported the incident within 24 hours.  This is also  a requirement  by the construction safety regulations.

Eleuter Mbilinyi is the Osha Public Relations Manager. According to him an investigation about the incident was ongoing. He also added  that the authority would be in a position to offer details when the inquiry was complete.

Eric van Zuthem is the  BAM International Director Area for Africa. He confirmed that the accident had taken place but ,declined to give details asking The Citizen to wait until the company investigates what had happened.

However he denied that the incident was not reported to Osha. He confirms that the victim was in  Muhimbili National Hospital and was doing fine.

According to sources the construction firm did not take any safety precautions  before the accident. They also did not put any spotters that enable workers to avoid danger at the site.