INGENIEUR
parties involved in the project and in any case the
end users will suffer the most.
WHY THE NEED TO REGISTER INSPECTOR
OF WORKS?
Prior to the REA amendment in 2015, Clerk
of Works were generally employed at the low
entry education level of SPM with minimal
training before being deployed to a site to
supervise the Contractors. Many of them had
difficulty understanding technical drawings and
specifications or what their expected performance
was in carrying out the supervision work on
site. This resulted in many badly supervised
projects. The problem was compounded when
the COWs’ integrity could be compromised on
site with monetary incentives given to them to
turn a blind eye during site inspections. The
resulting works could therefore become inferior
and not in compliance with specifications. The
accountability of the COWs was found lacking
as they often move from project to project even
before project completion. It was difficult to hold
a COW responsible for his poor supervision work.
Often the Engineer could no longer hold him
accountable under the employment contract
as he was no longer in his employment. In
the end the Engineer would have to bear the
consequences resulting from the actions of a
wayward COW on site.
With the advent of a number of building
failures in the country, BEM recognised the need
for higher quality supervision of building projects
and agreed to include the registration of IOW in
the REA 2015 amendments. The registration of
IOW will pave the way to hold IOWs personally
accountable for the supervision work within a
statutory Code of Conduct stipulated for them.
Any violations of the Code of Conduct will subject
the IOW to disciplinary action by the Board. In
serious cases they could be deregistered and
barred from working as IOWs.
The previous COWs had their existing rights
retained and were able to register as IOWs by
a given deadline. The entry education level
was gradually raised to the present Diploma
in Engineering level complying with the Dublin
Accord for engineering technicians. New IOWs
are being registered with these conditions to
allow them to work as interns for a two year
minimum period under a Resident Engineer or
a registered IOW. After this internship they can
perform the duties of a registered IOW in signing
off Contractors’ works.
The registration of an IOW is for a three year
period and within this time he has to obtain 30
CPD hours for him to renew his registration. The
CPD hours could be obtained through attending
approved courses conducted by recognised
professional bodies.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CCC PROCESS
When the Certificate of Completion and
Compliance (CCC) process was discussed with
the intention to replace the Certificate of Fitness
for Occupation prior to its implementation in
2007, all parties responsible for the works
concerned were to sign off on Form G to support
the issuance of Form F. The site supervision team
including the IOW was to sign off together with
the Contractor/Tradesman and the Submitting
Person on the Form G. However this proposal
was dropped after it was pointed out that IOWs
were not registered persons and hence not
cannot be implemented. With the registration of
IOWs now in place, the BEM has been assisting
the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
Malaysia to restore this requirement for IOWs
to sign certain Form Gs. The Uniform Building
By-Laws and in particular Form G is now being
revised to include the provision for IOWs to sign
off on it, and to hold them accountable for the
supervision of their portion of work during their
work tenure on site.
CONCLUSION
BEM envisages all registered IOWs will bear higher
responsibilities and accountability in the future
and continue to progress in their careers when
they achieve a higher level of professionalism
and competency. With Malaysia approaching an
advanced nation status, IOWs will be a much
sought after profession and along with that, a
much higher prospect for income advancement.
8 VOL 81 JANUARY-MARCH 2020