Bangi: Construction projects must prioritise workers’ safety over meeting deadlines or chasing profits.
The Chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Chong Chieng Jen, stressed that the lives and well-being of workers are the most valuable assets in the construction industry.
“There is no point in completing work on schedule if lives are lost. NIOSH is always ready to assist the industry, contractors, and educational institutions through training and consultation to strengthen a safe work culture and reduce the risk of accidents at project sites,” he said in a statement.
Chong issued the reminder following the death of a young worker who was buried in a landslide at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on 6 September 2025.
In the incident, which occurred at around 1.45 PM, a 22-year-old male worker was buried under nearly three meters of soil while installing pipes at the UMS campus.
The victim was retrieved by the Fire and Rescue Department with assistance from police and medical officers, but was confirmed dead at the scene.
According to Chong, the tragedy serves as an important reminder to all parties that safety measures at work sites must be strengthened in line with recent amendments to occupational safety laws.
He noted that the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into effect on June 1 last year, expanded the scope of worker protection by requiring employers to conduct systematic risk assessments (Section 18B).
“This section requires every employer, principal, developer, or contractor to carry out a systematic risk assessment before any work is undertaken.
“The assessment must identify workplace hazards, evaluate risk levels, and establish control measures to prevent accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases,” he said.
He added that Section 29A stipulates that every workplace with five or more employees must have a trained Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Coordinator to help identify hazards, ensure compliance with procedures, and foster a safe work culture.
“NIOSH also emphasises compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024, which came into effect on 1 June 2024.
“These regulations introduce a proactive approach, requiring clients, designers, and contractors to plan, manage, and monitor safety throughout the project life cycle, from pre-construction to post-construction phases,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chong expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and urged all contractors, developers, and educational institutions to strictly comply with safety laws.
“Compliance with this amended Act can help prevent workplace accidents and fatalities if all parties especially employers, contractors, and workers fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them,” he said.
