Working at Height in Malaysia

The definition of work at height globally varies greatly. But what is working at height? First off work at height is just that, it is an activity that has an employer offering a reward. Therefore sport and recreational activities are not covered under the same regulations.

Different regions/countries have identified and stated differing specific heights in their legislations, to confirm what constitutes “Being at height”

·      South Australia states under the Work Health and Safety Regulation. That this is being above 2 meters.

·      The United states remains one of the few countries to retain measurement in feet and inches and has identified work at height as being above 10 feet ( 3.048 meters)

·      The United Kingdom has replaced previous regulations with the working at height regulations 2005. This law has now classified work at height as meaning “work in any place” where, if there were no precautions taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. So basically this now states any height.

The Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) have released a new official web page with regard to work at height in Malaysia. https://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php/construction-safety-v/work-at-height The document states that existing legislation in Malaysia does not provide specific definition to work at height, as it also indicates that a document in Malaysia prescribes the distance in line with the United States as being 10 feet, and the Building operations and works of engineering construction 1986 (BOWAC) Reg. 86 states this as “every working platform where a person can fall 3.0 meters”.

Around the world few falls from relatively low levels result in life changing injury or fatality, however it must be recognised that there always remains the option for a bad outcome, and this must be considered by all those involved in planning work at height. Statistics from SciELO Analytics show 4% of recorded falls from below 3 meters result in paralysis or permanent injury.

As a result of similar findings in the U.K. The working at height regulations were introduced and led to the removal of the so called “2 meter rule” Legislation now states that any height where a fall can occur is classified as high risk and accordingly, all work at height must be properly planned supervised and carried out by a competent person. This ensures that at least one member of staff should be in a supervisory role and responsible for all activities that indicate a risk of falling or dropping an object. The scaffolding contractor should appoint a competent person to be responsible for ensuring that a sufficient risk assessment has been conducted and a method statement or plan of works is provided to all those involved with the work at height. Also the competent person is responsible to ensure that those involved have had training and a sufficient level of skill to complete the required task safely. 

Sadly this has been lacking and in many recorded instances there is evidence of insufficient or non-existent supervision. Resulting in collapse or injury through negligence that could easily be avoided. Many times a company appoints a member of the team as the competent person and the individual has a lack of knowledge or experience to complete the tasks in a professional manor. Currently in Malaysia there is no training syllabus or certification requirement from DOSH for those appointed to this position. As such the wrong equipment is often being used to provide a scaffold that ultimately does not comply with the Malaysian Standards MS1462 or has total disregard for working at height fall prevention.

The OSTS Supervisor training has been developed to meet industry requirements and satisfy local regulations. This 3 Day course is designed specifically for people responsible for the supervision and management of scaffolding operatives e.g. Charge-hands, Foremen, Supervisors and Managers.To give delegates such knowledge and skills to enable them to Supervise, monitor, direct and instruct scaffolders in scaffolding operations 

Delegates who successfully complete the course will be issued with an International certificate and a record card, which will be valid for 5 years.

To be able to attend this course, delegates are required to have extensive scaffolding industry experience and should ideally hold a Level 3 Certificate. Employers will be responsible for ensuring that delegates meet this requirement

Course content for Scaffolding Supervisor include:-

·      Assessing, planning and supervising the scaffolding works, including co-ordination of manpower, equipment & materials, towards the completion of construction works on schedule whilst complying with local regulations and DOSH requirements.

·      Participation in project progress meeting, providing input related to the status of scaffolding works design appreciation and technical guidance.

·      Planning and directing the procurement of scaffolding material required for the proper completion of scaffolding on schedule.

·      Directing and supervising the scaffolding crews in the performance of all aspects of their work in accordance with local legislation, and maintaining the safety of all those involved and all others.

·      Delivering toolbox talks for motivating and resolving daily problems with the crew to ensure smooth execution of the erection, inspection & removal of scaffolding equipment.

·      Monitoring the status of scaffolding works on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and providing reports as per the project reporting procedures.

·      Maintaining functional links with other project personnel, particularly with the Administration, Procurement, Material and Construction sections.

·      Making forward plans for the mobilization or release of equipment and personnel employed in the scaffolding works.

·      Completing practical exercise delivering toolbox talk. Planning and developing both risk assessment and Method statement for a project as assessment.

·      End of course knowledge theory assessment.

For information of dates follow this link

https://www.perimalaysia.com/peri-apac-training-competence-center/peri-cisrs-osts.html