Talk to us on OSHA amendments, urges PAM

PETALING JAYA (March 4): The Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) wants the government to engage with the institution and other relevant stakeholders regarding the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1994 (OSHA) before it is tabled in Parliament this month.

In a press statement yesterday, PAM president Ezumi Harzani Ismail said the institution applauds the Department of Occupational Safety and Health’s (DOSH) efforts to improve construction site occupational safety and health practices but proper engagement with architects, engineers, builders and developers should be conducted prior to introducing the new laws in order to take the views of stakeholders and particularly of the impacted parties into account before they are s implemented.

*Site owners and architects to be held responsible for accidents when Occupational Health and Safety Act is amended soon

“[DOSH director generail] Omar Mat Piah in his statement said that the new amendment to OSHA is expected to be tabled in the Parliament this month. PAM as a professional institute for Architects, requests government law makers to engage PAM and other relevant stakeholders, in order to get our feedback before it goes to the Parliament,” he said.

He added that the statements made by Omar on the proposed amendments to OSHA so that construction site owners and architects may be held responsible for incidents at construction sites have raised concerns among PAM members.

“As the lead consultant in building construction, architects carry the main responsibility as the principal submitting person (PSP) and shall be responsible for the design. It is inappropriate to put the blame on any construction mishap, such as site accidents, on the architect without proper consideration on the root cause of the accident. This will not be acceptable by the industry,” he said.

He noted that Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) as the governing body for the architectural profession in Malaysia, has the authority under the Architects Act 1967 to regulate and take necessary action against any architect who commits an offence under the Act.

“Any misconduct or complaint lodged against its member will be investigated by LAM’s Disciplinary Committee. Any architect found guilty for such offence can be fined up to RM 100,000 or up to three years suspension of registration or deregistration from the Board of Architects,” he said.