On the Dot...

Despite the number of work-related accidents, this workman walks across a crane without any visible safety precautions at a building site in Nazzareno Street, corner with Old College Street, Sliema. What exactly is the Occupational Health and Safety Authority doing? Will it give us a monthly account of its inspections?

Free For All

You win some, you lose some; more safety-consciousness has been introduced on a prominent building site at Mriehel, in the way of cages, rather than unsteady planks of wood, being provided for the workers. Yet, they persist in not wearing safety harnesses and it is not the first time they are seen without hard hats (too hot), ear muffs (the radio would otherwise be blaring away for nothing) or face masks (they would otherwise be unable to hold conversations).

Swings Low

It would be a fine thing if NGOs or other organisations again took at least one children's playground under their figurative wings; this would, perhaps, be a load off the back of the people who are supposed to do it but are otherwise occupied. That way, at least, children could have a relatively clean environment in which to play, with breakages in equipment and damage to the non-slip surface reported promptly.

Line Dancing

Which is the ultimate criterion that entitles an establishment to have yellow lines painted on the road surface in front of its entrance? And, following that, what difference would they make to whether or not customers are booked for non-compliance with parking regulations? In the Constitution Street area in Mosta, Chilled and Frozen has yellow lines, and one is obviously booked, and one may park in front of Ta' Natu Supermarket with impunity, but although B4 textiles has no lines, one gets booked, with wardens gainsaying one another as to the extent of the no-parking zone.

Flying Muck

Wild pigeons have proliferated so much in the St Dominic church area in Rabat that churchgoers are often having to rake off droppings from their clothes on their way in or out of the church.

Signs of Relief

It is, apparently, taken for granted that people visit Ta' Qali either as workers in the crafts village there, where they would know their way around, or as tourists, in coaches, where maps would be optional. Why else would there be such a dearth of directional signs, when several new ones have currently been placed in the Bugibba/St Paul's Bay area?

No Tanks

Some time ago there was supposed to be a drive to remove all the old, rusted oil tanks that were doing duty as rubble walls. This exercise seems to have died the death; at least as far as areas such as Marsaxlokk are concerned. Some of the self-styled partitions have been there for well over 30 years.

Not Networking

Some weeks ago, these columns reported that not all internet-enabled telephone booths were in working order; some were hanging, and some did not even have the screen on. The situation remains the same; several people have been seen walking up to these booths and then turning away in disgust.

Press Gangs

A recent report in the press stated that there were no fewer than 300 foreigners working on the site of the new general hospital. Moreover, they are not all of professional grades but members of teams of workmen. Why is it that of all those unemployed people scanning the lists at the ETC, and those registering for work, not enough local workmen wanted to take up these positions?

Money (Doesn't) Talk

The Malta Financial Services Authority recently issued a statement warning people against applying for loans from ostensibly foreign entities that not only did not deliver, but nonetheless charged substantial administration fees, therefore, for nothing. Moreover, the authority indicated it was in possession of the names of at least nine persons involved in this scam, with the probability of more on the side-lines. To make these names public could result in a legal wrangle; but at least we have been warned to approach only legitimate sources.

Life Style

Be The Miracle is the latest slogan to be attached to blood-donation, this time in a campaign conceived by the youth department of the Catholic Action (ZAK). Surely donating the miracle of life is worth more, at the end of the day, than one hour slouched in front of a television set or lazing about on the beach?

Grate Deal

The square manhole cover in Valley Road, Birkirkara, corner with Azzopardi Street, has worked its way loose. Not many cars make the turn upwards from the former to the latter but when they do, the noise the metal lid makes is deafening.

Dark Festival

The beer festival was very well attended at Ta' Qali. Pity that the lights were there only in the entertainment area - the rest of the surroundings, such as the parking lot, were in pitch darkness. Any driver dropping his car keys would have had a task finding them (after having found the car, of course).

Blood Brothers

Potential blood donors who decide to attend the Guardamangia bank, near St Luke's Hospital, have lodged complaints about the number of people seen loitering by the building. Apparently, security cameras are being relied on for the prevention of illegal activity. Yet, the fact remains that people who have started rehabilitation programmes are served from the same centres as those who do not care about their health, or their lives, either way. This may be harmful to the former.