MBAM chief on factors that can ensure firm’s success
KUCHING: Contractors and industry players were reminded that in today’s competitive business environment, profitmaking objective is not the only criteria in determining whether a company will be good and successful.
Master Builders Association Malaysia ( MBAM) president Foo Check Lee said factors such as quality of works, environmental protection and most importantly the safety and health of workers during project implementation and maintenance, will have an effect on the reputation and image of a company especially as a member of the project team.
“It does not make business sense for us to complete a project where work quality is below par and full of defects. It is even unacceptable and morally wrong for us to complete a project which results in sickness and injuries or even fatality to our workers,” he said when speaking at the opening of a two-day ‘Seminar on Occupational Safety and Health & Workshop on Construction Accident Investigations’ here yesterday.
He added: “It may result in our worker’s family losing their bread winner or we may even be exposed to legal actions by victim’s family or authority. Due to the importance of all these factors, many established companies and government agencies had made safety and health as one of their precondition factors for contract procurement.”
The seminar opening ceremony was officiated by Department of Occupational Safety and Health ( DOSH) Sarawak director Ir Dr Nor Halim Hasan and attended by directors of Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board ( CIDB) Sarawak and Social Security Organisation (Socso) Sarawak.
According to Foo, the construction industry now contributes 4.4 percent to Malaysia’s gross domestic product ( GDP) index. It also employs 15 per cent of the nation’s total workforce.
“The construction industry plays a prominent role in our economy. Under 11th Malaysia Plan, the government has plans to improve the connectivity and amenities for the people of Sarawak.
“As such, projects such as Coastal Road Project (CRP) which is set to inter- connect 60 per cent of Sarawak’s population living in the coastal towns and villages between Sibu, Sarikei and Kuching and estimated to cost RM4.6 billion will definitely provide much work for contractors in Sarawak.
“The project will transform the coastal area and link it to the interior of Sarawak. There
It does not make business sense for us to complete a project where work quality is below par and full of defects. It is even unacceptable and morally wrong for us to complete a project which results in sickness and injuries or even fatality to our workers. Foo Check Lee, Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) president
will also be water supply, school and clinic projects that are to be completed under Budget 2018,” he said.
On a related matter, Foo said MBAM is promoting Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Management (OSHIM).
“Although the guideline for OSHIM had been issued by DOSH, MBAM is still working with CIDB and DOSH on how to implement it,” Foo added.
He also called on contractors to ensure their workers are properly accredited in line with requirement by CIDB to avoid a situation where any Tom, Dick and Harry is assigned to a task where he or she is not accredited with, and this would lead to higher risk of accidents.
Foo also disclosed that MBAM will organise the 44th International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors Associations ( IFAWPCA) Convention in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 12-16 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.