The Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has ordered the subcontractor involved in excavation works at the Central Spine Road Package 4 project in Lipis to stop all excavation following the death of a worker on-site on December 12.Â
CIDB Malaysia Chief Executive Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria stated that all work at the site is to cease until proper control over excavation activities is demonstrated to CIDB, and compliance with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) excavation safety directives is ensured.
The CIDB will investigate the incident under the CIDB Act (Act 520), Section 34B(1) Contractor’s Duties. This section mandates contractors to:
a) Notify and submit to the Board any information and documents related to the construction works, whether new or otherwise.
b) Ensure construction works are carried out in accordance with the Act’s provisions, any regulations, terms and conditions imposed by the Board, and any other written laws.
c) Ensure the safety of the building and construction work, both during and after construction.
Section 34D states that deaths resulting from a contractor’s breach of duty can lead to a fine not exceeding RM500,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. Preliminary investigations revealed the subcontractor did not declare the project in CIDB’s system, violating Section 34B(1)(a).
Additionally, three construction workers, including the deceased, lacked valid CIDB construction personnel registration certificates. One other worker had an expired certificate, and the site supervisor was not accredited as a Construction Site Supervisor.
According to Section 33, Act 520, all construction workers must have CIDB construction personnel registration certificates, and all skilled construction workers and site supervisors must be accredited and recognised by CIDB. Failure to comply can result in a fine not exceeding RM5,000.
Accreditation of skilled construction workers and construction site supervisors is crucial to ensure quality work and adherence to safety and health standards on construction sites.
