The Presidents of the Malta Chamber of Geologists and the Malta Developers Association have today signed a joint position paper that improves public safety in the construction industry. The two associations agree on two points:
- That it is timely for the recognition of the profession of the geologist by the Malta government. Geologists are the experts on rock and its excavation, which is an activity that presently is not assessed and monitored by Geologists and has resulted in several tragic accidents in the past few years. The recognition of geologists by means of a State Warrant will also bring Malta in line with the practices and procedures of neighbouring EU countries.
- That Malta needs to establish a National Geological Service/Survey which engages geologists to gather data on rock in the subsurface and the continental shelf. The Geological Service will use this data to assist citizens on matters of public safety during rock excavation, assist in more sustainable use of Malta’s limited rock resources and discover subsurface energy sources in Malta’s large continental shelf. Malta remains the only European country without a Geological Service which has resulted in developers and the public remaining unaware of the problems and hazards related to the ground where they live or want to develop.
It is now the responsibility of the government to safeguard public safety by recognising the profession of the geologist.