Engineers and Safety

As the nation continues on its way to fully developed status, the health and welfare of its workforce become ever more important. The role of engineers in ensuring safety and health cannot be overstated, whether directly as safety officers, designers or as engineers in maintenance of plant and equipment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1994 (OSHA) makes it obligatory for the designer of buildings as well as plants to ensure that they are safe for use. Safety and health matters encompass almost every aspect of engineering works from the simple electronic assembly factory to utilities, industries and complex construction works. Many shop drawings require sound engineering input on good method statement. 

Engineers can no longer leave it to contractors alone to ensure work site safety. Work site accident rate can be reduced further if all stakeholders go the extra mile to give due priority to safety and health matters.

The costs resulting from an accident such as medical and insurance payments can be exorbitant. Where it results in loss of human lives, the anguish of the victim’s family is tremendous. As the pace of technological advancement continues its steep upward curve, engineers will be expected to come up with innovative measures to address safety and health issues.

I hope that the recently introduced Safety and Health Assessment System in Construction developed by CIBD will enhance the overall safety and health standard in our construction sites and all other work places. More standards and guidelines in other work places should be drawn up as the safety and health of our work force cannot be compromised.

Dato’ Sri Prof Ir. Dr. Judin bin Abdul Karim

President

BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA