PETALING JAYA: Construction companies bidding for contracts should have safety policy statements to indicate they are committed to ensuring worker safety.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the construction industry needed to ensure companies or contractors had safety policy statements before bidding for projects.
“I feel that bids must not be given to contractors who are unable to give assurances that they can perform their task safely and efficiently,” said Lee yesterday.
He said there were many regulations under the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) but accidents happened due to failure to comply.
“The culture of safety is absent in our construction industry. Those involved have not fully embraced this culture,” he added.
Lee was commenting on reports that 198 construction workers were killed between 2013 and June this year, and that 92.5% of the 3,021 contractors screened in the five past months failed to comply with DOSH requirements at worksites.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said on Tuesday that the trend was worrying, adding that the ministry would continue to monitor the 4,682 active construction sites nationwide.
Lee said the statistics clearly indicated that the industry was high risk and prone to accidents.
He urged industry players to take heed and play a part in improving their safety record.
“While we need a skilful and professional workforce in the construction industry, we also need to ensure the industry takes steps to prevent accidents,” he said.
