Datuk Seri Fadilah Yusof
SIBU: The Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP) is proposing to regulate a minimum level of workers’ amenities through enforcement of Act 446 (Workers’ Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities Act 1990) under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadilah Yusof disclosed yesterday a proposal for the Act to be extended to the construction sector.
“The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) will also collaborate with industry players and facilitate the upgrading or construction of workers’ living quarters to be standard-compliant.
“There is a need to create industry champion to showcase to other players in order to create a benchmark for improving standards for workers’ well-being.
“One good example is MRT’s project which provides proper living quarters for its workers. Improving the living conditions of construction workers will give rise to greater productivity and drive the progress of the industry,” Fadillah told The Borneo Post.
Recently, the minister revealed that CITP was a plan that would help transform the construction industry by year 2020. Fadillah said this when was asked if CITP would introduce a more stringent occupational safety and health requirement besides upping the quality, sustainability and productivity of the nation’s construction industry and whether CITP was one way to reduce workplace accidents at construction sites.
The Petra Jaya MP said among the initiatives to enhance safety and health at construction sites was to develop a construction-specific OSH training curricula.
There is also a roll-out training to increase the number of Site Safety Supervisors and Occupational Health and Safety Inspector in the construction industry.
“Set a higher requirement for top contractors to demonstrate safety compliance through internationally-recognised safety certifications (eg OHSAS 18001).” Additionally, adopt the Safety and Health Assessment System in Construction (Shassic) to rate worksite compliance of safety and health code of practice and guidelines.
He said several Codes of Practice for on-site safety and health enforcement in construction will be reviewed and enhanced as a reference for players. Others are enhance provision for OSH to be included as a specific item in the total project cost, which should be allocated and not compromised to ensure improved safety practices and higher safety standards at the site and throughout the project.