INGENIEUR
Figure 4: The Swiss cheese model of accident causation proposes that an accident results from
cumulative effects and occurs when a combination of influences and factors coincide.
As the model is developed based on the
detailed analysis of accidents, use of such
models would help forensic investigators map
out findings and identify the influences or factors
that lead to accidents. Knowing that an accident
is often preceeded by multiple factors, ensuring
site safety would therefore require good planning,
management, monitoring and co-ordinating
of different phases of the project and various
tasks and activities by contractors and workers.
Essentially, OSH management should become
integral to overall project management.
The Guidelines on Occupational Safety and
Health in Construction Industry (Management)
2017 or OSHCIM Guidelines 3 recommend practical
guidance to employers on how the site’s OSH
management can be integrated into the overall
process of project management. The guidelines
propose that the responsibility for OSH needs
to be owned and integrated across the project
team, from clients, designers and engineers,
3
6
26
through to the site workers. It explains what client,
designers, contractors and workers should do to
comply with both the Occupational Safety and
Health Act 1994 and the Factories and Machinery
Act 1967. In essence, the guidelines consist of
five key elements, namely:
1. managing the risks by applying the
principles of risk management and
prevention;
2. appointing the right people and
organisations at the right time;
3. making sure everyone has the information,
instruction, training and supervision they
need to carry out their jobs safely;
4. all employers in a project co-operating and
communicating with each other and co-
ordinating their work; and
5. consulting workers and engaging with
them to promote and develop effective
measures to secure health, safety and
welfare.
Copy of the guidelines is available here: http://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php/en/legislation/guidelines/building-construction-
engineering-work/2498-booklet-guidelines-of-occupational-safety-and-health-in-construction-industry/file
VOL
2018
VOL 76
55 OCTOBER-DECEMBER
JUNE 2013