Bahrain records first worker death in '09

An Indian labourer was killed in Bahrain on January 11 after being struck on the head by a wooden plank that fell from 20 floors above.

Sitaram Murlidhar, 42, was working on the ground floor of a building in Juffair at the time of the accident and was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Gulf Daily News reported that four other Indian workers were taken into police custody and an investigation was launched by the Labour Ministry.

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Ministry occupational health and safety head Ali Abdulla Makki told the paper the worksite was in breach of several safety regulations.

“According to our preliminary reports, the company didn’t provide the workers with proper uniform,” he said. “Mr Murlidhar was wearing a helmet but it was not of very good quality and that’s the reason he suffered severe head injuries. The workplace was also not properly covered and that is why the wood fell on his head.”

Murlidhar had worked for Ahmed Al Qaed Building and Contracting Company as a carpenter for five years.
He came from the northern state of Rajasthan and is survived by wife and two daughters.

Last year, 37 workers died in construction related accident in Bahrain according to the Labour Ministry.