Over 1,000 Calls Made To New 138 Construction Helpline In First Two Weeks
Malta’s newly launched 138 helpline, designed to report issues on construction sites, received over 1,000 calls in its first two weeks of operation.
The helpline addresses everything from reports of construction abuse to advice on health and safety and is available on a 24/7 basis.
Of the calls received, more than 700 were redirected to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), while over 200 were forwarded to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA).
The helpline, which was launched on 5th August, was named in memory of construction victim Jean Paul Sofia, using the numbers of his birthday.
CEO of Servizz.gov Massimo Vella revealed to Times of Malta that the number of calls was “higher than expected,” indicating a strong demand for such a service.
The most frequent complaints involved dust emissions, non-compliance with BCA protocols, and concerns about property damage due to nearby construction.
On the OHSA side, reports often involved workplace accidents and construction workers not following safety regulations, such as failing to wear protective gear.
Vella also noted that many in Malta have witnessed safety regulations being ignored in the construction industry, which creates a sense of insecurity.
“When I see these incidents take place, I get a chill down my spine,” he said. “The spirit of 138 is that we now all have a voice.”
Have you used this helpline to report any issues?
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