False Work Accident: Forensic Engineering Investigation Approach

Authors

  • Mohd Samsuri Khalid ¹Department Creative Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, UTMKL, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; ²Construction Quality and Maintenance Research Group (CQM), UTMKL, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Balya Mulkan Wijaya Forensic Engineering Division, Department Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia Setia Perkasa 4. Setia Complex, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62530 Putrajaya, Malaysia
  • Mohd Nazri Mat Jarid Forensic Engineering Division, Department Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia Setia Perkasa 4. Setia Complex, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62530 Putrajaya, Malaysia
  • Nur Athirah Diyana Mohammad Yusof Department Creative Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, UTMKL, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Mohammad Lui Juhari Centre for Research in Development, Sosial and Environment (SEEDS), faculty of Social Science and Humanities, National University of Malaysia, 43600, Bangi UKM, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/jest.v8.188

Keywords:

Falsework Structure; Forensic Engineering Investigation; Concrete; Forensic Analysis; Formwork.

Abstract

On June 19, 2021, at 7:15 PM, the collapse of a falsework structure at a construction site in Selangor caused one fatality, injured another worker, and severely damaged the falsework. Prior to the collapse, five workers were engaged in pouring concrete into a formwork box at channel P116R. Method of forensic engineering investigation as such by triangulation of approach visual inspections and measurements were conducted on the components used for the falsework structure. A review of technical documents was performed, focusing on the design specifications, engineering drawings, and procedures for the installation of the falsework. A structural analysis was carried out based on the technical data obtained. This study investigates the collapse of a falsework structure at a construction site in Selangor, resulting in one fatality and one injury. Forensic analysis revealed that the structure failed under a concrete load of 32.08 cubic meters (50.74 kN/m²), exceeding its capacity. The investigation included onsite inspections, structural analysis, and review of technical documents, concluding that inadequate bracing and joint integrity were primary causes of failure.

References

Balya Mulkan Wijaya Mohammad Yusuf. (2017). Faktor Rembatan(Bracing) dan Penyambung (joint) Terhadap kekuatan Binaan Komponen Perancanh (Scaffold) yang Digunakan Sebagai Penyangga Sementara (Falsework). Laporan Penyiasatan Kejuruteraan Forensik. Bahagian Kejuruteraan Forensik. Jabatan keselamatan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Malaysia.

Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM). (2014). Test on steel frame scaffolding report.

Osman, M. H., et al. (1998). Design and performance of tubular steel scaffold. Journal of Civil Engineering, 11(1).

J. E., R. H., & Hancock, G. J. (2000). Structure stability of braced scaffold and formwork with spigot joints.

CASE. (2006). Tests of formwork subassemblies and component investigation report No. S1499. Centre for Advance Structural Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney.

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British Standards Institution. (2011). BS 5975:2008: Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework.

Lewis, G. L. (2003). Forensic materials engineering: Case studies. CRC Press.

Forensic Engineering Investigation Data, FED, DOSH Malaysia.

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Published

2025-06-18

How to Cite

Khalid, M. S., Balya Mulkan Wijaya, Mat Jarid , M. N., Mohammad Yusof, N. A. D., & Juhari , M. L. (2025). False Work Accident: Forensic Engineering Investigation Approach. Journal of Energy and Safety Technology (JEST), 8(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.11113/jest.v8.188

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Articles