COVER FEATURE
New Set Of OSH Regulations for the Construction Industry
By Ir . Dr Mohd Fairuz Ab Rahman Mohd Fiqri Mohd Hanafi Dr Mohamad Syamir Senin Ir . Dr Noor Nabilah Sarbini
Department of Occupational Safey and Health
COVER FEATURE
The Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Construction Industry ( Management ), popularly known as OSHCIM , introduces new approaches to the management of occupational safety and health ( OSH ) for construction projects . Since its inception as a voluntary compliance in 2017 , the Department of Occupational Safety and Health ( DOSH ) has made it no secret that the contents of the guidelines will be embedded into a new set of OSH regulations for the construction industry in Malaysia . These new regulations will be mandatory requirements , replacing the Factories and Machinery ( Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction ) ( Safety ) Regulations or BOWECS that have been enforced since 1986 .
Brief History of BOWECS
BOWECS at the time of their enactment were the ‘ first of the kind ’ specific OSH regulations for construction sites . These regulations primarily focused on the safety aspects of temporary structures , work equipment and work activity commonly used in construction sites . BOWECS sets out in prescriptive detail precisely what employers or contractors must do in specific situations . For example , in Regulation 116 , where trenches to be excavated exceed 4m in depth , pilings , shoring and bracing must be constructed in accordance with the design and drawings of a Professional Engineer ( PEPC ). In effect , this approach takes away the onus on employers to carry out risk assessment and determine the most suitable and adequate measures to control the risk .
While a prescriptive approach is preferred due to its clarity and clear expectation on what should be done in a particular situation , it does not cover every eventuality found on construction sites . As industry practices are evolving , new construction methods and technologies have emerged and thus the prescriptive nature of BOWECS renders it ineffective to address these changes . In addition , BOWECS does not provide a comprehensive framework for managing OSH in construction projects . It lacks specific requirements on risk assessment , planning , co-ordination , co-operation and appointment , which are critical in OSH management , especially for construction projects .
OSHCIM in a new set of OSH Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health ( Construction Work Design and Management ) Regulations or CWDM is a new set of OSH regulations for the
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