THE Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is planning to make the Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Industry (Management) (OSCHIM) guideline mandatory, by the first quarter of next year.
DOSH Malaysia director-general Omar Mat Piah said the department is now engaging the respective parties involved in the construction industry.
“We have trainings and dialogues with associations and institutions such as the Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), and The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia.
“The guideline is there to create awareness on occupational safety and the responsibility of all parties involved.
“Currently, the main contractor is held liable for any untoward incidents occurred on-site.
“By amending the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 to include OSCHIM and making it mandatory, occupational safety will be a shared responsibility among the contractors, the project owner and the project designer.
“Every party is responsible to ensure the workplace is safe for the workers and others. If everyone plays their role, we can be better.
“We use countries such as Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom as benchmarks to improve,” he told a press conference after attending the first Penang International Construction Conference 2019 at The TOP in Komtar today.
Omar said the Dosh was concerned with the many fatalities occurred in the construction industry.
MBAM president Foo Chek Lee said a study found that 30% to 40% of worksite accidents were caused by design failure or inaccurate design.
“Meanwhile in Malaysia, the main contractor is held responsible for any untoward incidents happened on-site.
“That is why we are working with DOSH and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to promote the OSCHIM guideline,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow congratulated the MBAM and the Penang Master Builders and Building Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA) for jointly organising the conference.
The Penang government, CIDB, Social Security Organisation Malaysia (Socso), DOSH and the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH) supported the event.
“The conference is held during this crucial moment in Penang. You must have heard of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP); our effort to create a highly liveable, economically vibrant and socially inclusive community in Penang.
“There are good prospects for the Penang construction industry in the coming years, in-view of several major infrastructure projects.
“These major infrastructure works require technology specialists and work safety compliance.
“There are challenges to be faced and managed despite what is seen as a good period for the construction industry. Thus, your theme ‘Safety and Innovation’ is both timely and relevant,” Chow said.
Chow said there was a need to further emphasise safety aspects and to upgrade the skills and knowledge of local contractors.
“Contractors and builders can no longer rely on cheap labours. Cheap labours, especially foreign workers, are often ‘counterproductive’ towards the development of the construction industry.
“Skills and expertise must be in line with the challenges faced,” Chow added.
About 200 participants attended the conference.
Among those present were state executive councillors and PMBBMDA president Datuk Lim Chee Tong.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Chan Kok Kuan