KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will enhance collaboration in safety and health issues in the Malaysian construction industry.
This is part of efforts to focus on reducing by 50 per cent the fatality rate in 2020 from 10.94 per cent per 100,000 workers in 2015.
The collaboration also aims to produce more cohesive action to elevate the construction industry to a higher level, as the sector has one of the worst safety and health records with 89 fatalities in 2014 and 140 in 2015.
DOSH Director General, Datuk Ir. Mohtar Musri said through the partnership, both agencies would complement each other by leveraging on their respective strength and function, with the ultimate goal of improving the overall performance of the construction industry in safety and health.
He said of the 668 fatalities in occupational hazard cases, construction accounted for 21 per cent in 2015 and this number is alarming.
"We recognise that the construction sector needs critical intervention. This effort will see two significant agencies working closely together, sharing notes and discussing various measures to bring down the numbers.
"Ultimately, we want a zero accident rate," he said at the safety and health media workshop today.
He also said the collaboration was in line with the National Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan for Malaysia 2020 (OSHMP 2020), which is currently implementing its third phase, namely "Preventive Culture".
"The main objective of OSHMP 2020 is to enhance the quality of life and build a safe, healthy, productive and innovative pool of human capital. A safe and healthy work culture will contribute towards enhancing productivity and competitiveness in all organisations throughout the nation," he added.
The safety and health media workshop was organised to facilitate the media's understanding of each agency's function and areas of responsibility, which may sometimes overlap.
Meanwhile, CIDB Chief Executive Datuk Ir. Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid said the collaboration is another initiative under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) to transform the Malaysian construction sector into a responsible, productive and sustainable industry.
"A series of proactive measures and cohesive action will be undertaken towards reducing the fatality rate in the construction industry," he said.
Ahmad Asri and Mokhtar signed the collaboration pledge, to mark the comprehensive areas of collaboration and cooperation agreed upon by both and encompassing areas in legal and enforcement, manpower development, standard enhancement and on promotions. — Bernama
