Malaysian Interior Industry Partners (MIIP) I Vol 8 No 1 2022 I OPPEIN

MALAYSIA REDEFINES CABINETRY AND

COMPLEMENTED BY A WORLD CLASS DESIGN TEAM

OPPEIN: AN INTERNATIONAL BRAND WITH EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN & EXCELLENT QUALITY

Featuring artistic lines and stylish concepts, Oppein is a distinguished brand that offers customers the opulence of designer cabinetry and home furnishing. The masterminds behind Oppein Malaysia, Directors Ruvin Wong and Ray Lai, accompanied by Natalie Wong, Design Director and Elise Tan, Project Manager, speak to Christina Thomas on the brand’s unique propositions.

The OPPEIN brand is no stranger to the cabinetry and home furnishing solutions industry. In the international arena, Oppein is a renowned brand synonymous for excellent quality and exceptional design. The brand is a pioneer and creator of world class home furnishing designs produced with world advance machinery guaranteeing utmost quality and finishing.

OPPEIN’S HISTORY

Founded by Yao Liangsong from Guangzhou, China in 1994, Oppein is now the largest cabinetry manufacturer in the world, with more than 7,000 franchise showrooms over 100 countries. In the early days, Yao, a carpenter by profession visited overseas factories in Europe and realised the value and beauty of customised cabinetry compared to more traditional and standard designs. “He then started manufacturing customised cabinetry in China,” explains Ruvin.

Since then, the company has made a foray into various countries with its exquisite designs and concepts, including Malaysia.

Today, Oppein in Malaysia promises its clientele one-stop services for cabinetry and interior fit-out works. Having visited Oppein China, Ruvin and team realised that there was no other brand in Malaysia offering such unique designs in the country, and they decided to take up the Oppein franchise.

“During our visit to the showroom in China in 2019, we were very impressed with the workmanship, design and quality of the products. We were also invited to the huge fully-automated factory operating on artificial intelligence (AI),” shares Ruvin.

From the design stage until production, the process is fully-automated including packaging using robotics.

A ROARING SUCCESS

In talking about Oppein’s success factor in becoming a world-class cabinetry manufacturer, Ruvin shares, “Oppein has invested heavily on research and development, and designs, ideas and materials are constantly refreshed,” says Ruvin.

“Oppein is able to produce large quantities using the latest state-of-the-art technology – which is a key competitive edge for Oppein in producing high quality products, fast,” he adds.

Natalie Wong, explains that Oppein has 2.3million square feet of factory space which enables the company to produce approximately 3,500 sets of kitchen cabinets and 4,500 wardrobes on a daily basis across 5

production facilities, totalling several million sets of cabinetry and wardrobes per annum.

THE MALAYSIAN MARKET

Reflecting on the business potential of the Malaysian market, Ray explains that Malaysia is one of the pioneering countries that Oppein penetrated in Southeast Asia. “Malaysia is the best market for Oppein simply because of cultural similarities as well as the huge market size within the country,” he adds.

Ray also pointed out that the country’s average gross domestic product (GDP) of USD10,000 per household is a key factor in drawing Oppein into the Malaysian market, coupled with the country’s high spending power despite its ‘developing nation’ status, making it one of the top choices in Southeast Asia.

In addition to that, Ray highlights that consumers in Malaysia also have high expectations, and Oppein is able to meet their demands for unique, innovative and high-quality products as well as excellent after-sales service.

“As a high-end product, Oppein is an excellent choice for the affluent segment”, he adds.

SOUGHT-AFTER PRODUCTS

Elaborating on Oppein’s most soughtafter products, Elise Tan explains, “Oppein is a specialist in kitchen cabinets and wardrobes. We deliver high quality, practical yet unique solutions to fulfil the personal lifestyle

preferences of our customers, especially for the younger generation.”

“We provide customers vast choices of materials, designs and finishing to mix and match according to their taste,” she adds.

Oppein’s world-class design team from Italy led by Sergio Castiglia, a CHANEL appointed designer and Marco Bortolin, Chief Designer of Oecus, spend countless hours crafting fine furnishing designs to elevate modern homes.

OPPEIN’S UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION

“We have a few unique features and offerings, one of which is our NAF (nonadded formaldehyde) products, which complies with world-class reduced gas emission standards. It is a healthier option compared to traditional materials that contain formaldehyde which is harmful to health,” says Ruvin.

“Our product is the first to introduce NAF in Malaysia. It is the highest grade particle board in the country, which is our key competitive advantage,” he adds.

“We have a world-class supply chain for our accessories such as drawers, hinges, and baskets, among others, thus empowering us with flexibility and practicality to match our designs accurately with the right accessories,” Natalie chips in.

“All our accessories have standard sizes, which is convenient for us and customers,” she adds.

“Our products are focused on practicality, durability and a long design life-cycle, as kitchen cabinets and wardrobes are long-term investments,” explains Ray.

“Within the imported kitchen cabinets market, Oppein is able to deliver the

fastest, within a period of 2 to 3 months,” he adds, considering the products are directly shipped from the factory in China.

EXCLUSIVE CAXA SOFTWARE

Speaking about CAXA, a software exclusively designed and used by Oppein, Natalie shares, “It is a software that offers end-to-end features, from the design stage to layout plans, and 3D visuals of to gauge colour combination, match accessories and adjust measurements according to customers’ requirements.”

“From this software, we can also generate quotations for our customers within a short time, using the 3D simulation of customers’ requirements,” she continues.

“CAXA comprises a library of all products, finishes and accessories thus helping us to design faster using our own

product range. It gives us a 3D image of the actual product,” adds Ruvin.

Ruvin points out that CAXA’s accuracy enables the company to deliver precision in design and functionality in its products.

Aside from the NAF products, Oppein offers the second-generation green panel products that promise five key advantages such as formaldehyde-free, formaldehydepurification, antibacterial, anti-mildew and odors-purification.

“Usually after renovations, there is an odour emitted by formaldehyde-based products in homes, which can be harmful. However, our second-generation green panel products are free of these harmful chemicals,” explains Natalie.

“Our formaldehyde purification rates are as high as 95.1 percent, making it possible to achieve permanent purification; while our antibacterial features create a clean environment,” she adds.

Additionally, the nano technology features of Oppein’s products offer 180,000 negative charges, creating a shield against bacteria and harmful pathogens. The odourless feature clears the environment of all the odours caused by other products within the home as well.

“It will absorb all kinds of bacteria, odours and sterilise the home environment,” stresses Elise.

Aside from private upmarket residences, Ruvin and team have been working with several developers in fitting Oppein cabinetry and wardrobes in new development projects. Some notable projects include Datum Jelatek, Somerset Residence in Mont Kiara, and Core Residence at TRX, among others.

On the company’s future direction, Ruvin says, “We are quite a young company in Malaysia and we hope to establish another 20 showrooms in the country. Currently we have showrooms in KL, Penang, Kuching and Sabah, and we hope to expand our reach in major townships across Malaysia.”

“We started out with kitchen cabinets and wardrobes but our aim is to move towards whole-house customisation,” he concludes.

INOVAR - BEYOND LAMINATE TIMBER FLOORS

Inovar, a household brand associated with timber laminate flooring, since 1996, is expanding its floor-covering range of products to cover both resilient flooring and carpet tiles.

Resilient flooring available include luxury vinyl planks, vinyl sheet, stone polymer composite (SPC), rubber underlay, floor accessories, and pool decks, among others. Taking advantage of its reputation as a premium quality and reliable service, Inovar works with some of the largest producers of floor-coverings in Asia, namely Japan, South Korea and China.

To enhance its brand value, the majority of its products are produced under a private label. With its wide network throughout ASEAN, Inovar is rapidly gaining solid ground in all

countries represented. Inovar floors are sold through various means such as residential projects, commercial projects, distribution channels, Smart Partner outlets, Shopee and retail outlets.

Inovar thrives on innovation and creativity as well as setting trends in the industry, giving the market better choices while keeping abreast with international par excellence.

Inovar has been recognised as the Brand of Distinction – Best Brand in Floor Covering Solutions by the The Brandlaureate, for 11 consecutive years.

The brand was also awarded the Platinum Business Awards 2016 for Product Excellence by SMI Association Malaysia. In 2017, Inovar won the Sin Chew Business Award for Product Excellence.

In 2020, the company received the Most Outstanding Malaysian Brand 2019 Award by the Brand Association of Malaysia. Inovar’s products are technically certified by SIRIM and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), and is also Green Label certified for LVT by the Singapore Environment Council. The company’s products are produced under the Quality & Environmental Management System ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001, in compliance with international quality standards.

Inovar’s commitment to quality has propelled the company to be the No. 1 Brand for LPM Laminate Flooring in Japan from 2009-2013 (by market share) as reported by the prestigious Yano Research Institute of Japan, and the first laminate flooring brand to be certified by the Japan International Standard (JIS) F-4- star compliant.

Crystalace Deco Sdn Bhd is a company specialising in the area of supplying textiles and hotel curtains is well known in the industry as being a leader in soft furnishings since the past 18 years. Backed by an

extensive history in supplying a wide variety of soft furnishings and high quality hotel curtains, it is a company of choice picked by interior designers wanting the best in high quality furnishings for their clients. Likewise, the company also aims to please homeowners with the best selection of curtains and soft furnishings. No stranger to having dressed the interiors of commercial buildings with its range of soft furnishings and curtains, counted among its clientele include Google Office as well as retail stores like Louis Vuitton and Dior as well as 5-star hotels the likes of Mandarin Oriental and Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

The company has started expanding its area of service expertise to retail residences in

CRYSTALACE DECO SDN BHD – A COMPANY OF CHOICE ARTMATRIX LEADS THE WAY

2020 including Aira Residence in Damansara Heights, designed by world-famous Dutch design team, Studio Piet Boon, and Straits Residences in Penang. The company’s other crowning accomplishments include being awarded with the Nan Yang Golden Eagle Award, Sin Chew Business Excellence Awards and the 100 Most Influential Young Entrepreneurs (100MIYE) accolades in 2018. Its vision is to become Malaysia’s leading curtain brand by allowing more local residents to experience the overseas lifestyle curtain products in Malaysia as Malaysians have demonstrated a strong desire to have a Western-skewered lifestyle of which Crystalace is working to bridge the gap between client’s desires and the company’s supply capabilities while also investing in employee training to improve the level of competency while elevating the company to a higher level.

Artmatrix Technology Sdn Bhd which was incorporated in June 2005 is dedicated to Product Research and Development, Branding, Marketing and Distribution of System Furniture. Meanwhile, Artmatrix Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (its wholly-owned subsidiary) concentrates on manufacturing and export services.

Growing by leaps and bounds throughout the years, Artmatrix has managed to build its reputation as a leading office furniture solutions provider locally, regionally and most significantly, as a world-class office furniture provider. What’s more, it has trailblazed its achievement as Malaysia’s leading Office Furniture Designer and Manufacturer.

Artmatrix’s extensive range of sustainable designs and environmentally friendly products plus its commitment to sustainability is second

to none. Its firm commitment to excellence has earned it various accolades and awards including meeting the stringent sustainable standards of the Good Environmental Choice Australia (GEGA), Green Building Index (GBI) and MyHIJAU Mark.

Going even beyond achieving an impressive range of certification, Artmatrix has to its credit, the rare distinction and honour of being the first Malaysian company to have produced a range of workstations and chairs that carries the GEGA eco-label. These products were laboratory tested for low emissions and in compliance with GBI and LEED requirements for indoor air quality which reflect Artmatrix’s impressive compliance and dedication towards ensuring the highest standard of environmental care.

Artmatrix’s solid reputation has also earned it the trust and clientele spanning a wide range of industries. Following Artmatrix’s excellent track record, it was also bestowed with the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award specifically under Notable Achievement in Environmental Protection in 2015.

BIG BATH – TRAILBLAZING THE KITCHEN & BATHROOM SEGMENTS

Big Bath is a popular choice among homeowners seeking to remodel their bathrooms and kitchens. Founded in 2010, the company is part of the Leonfast Group, an industry-recognised bathroom and kitchen supplies distributor operating since 1979. Big Bath takes pride in being the all-time first choice bathroom and kitchen specialist in the country.

Over the years since it was established, Big Bath has grown from a a single store into a wellknown one-stop bathroom and kitchen solutions provider today, with ten retail outlets across the nation, including the biggest showroom with over 25,000 square feet in Sabah.

It has also made numerous notable achievements, including being the first bathroom and kitchen supply store in Malaysia with its own franchise and being recognized as winner of the Malaysia Book of Records for having the nation’s first mobile sanitaryware showroom. Currently, offering more than 10,000 bathroom and kitchen items from inhouse brands like “TORA”, “LeCelebrity”,

“MOOV” and “Faurex”, Big Bath serves over 1,000 active customers per month, including bathroom and kitchen retail stores, traders, developers, architects, and interior designers across Malaysia.

Big Bath is best recognized for its bathroom and kitchen products and services quality control and assurance, as well as its customerfirst brand value. The company’s vision is to provide affordable quality, luxury bathroom experiences that are accessible to the world. Standing by this vision, the Big Bath team is dedicated to enabling its customers to enjoy high-quality and luxurious products at very affordable and reasonable prices by practising the Honest Price plan, where the company constantly monitors and conducts research for the market’s best price.

In addition, the company’s well-trained sales team also strives to provide customers with the highest level of services exceeding their expectations, given its belief that customer service always plays an essential part in ensuring customer satisfaction. It offers professional oneto-one consulting services to inspire customers

in transforming their kitchens and bathrooms into the ideal spaces. As its showrooms also incorporate the “Experience Now, Buy Later” concept by featuring live demonstration stations, customers at Big Bath are allowed to see, touch and feel products from sanitary ware to bathtubs before purchasing, while being given more room to make a better decision.

Big Bath’s dedicated efforts in constantly providing customers with quality and comprehensive bathroom and kitchen solutions has also earned the company numerous awards and recognition in the industry over the years, including The Star Outstanding Business (SOBA) Award and Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) 100 Award. To-date, Big Bath has been recognised as one of the most trusted and prestigious brands in the industry, with an average of 4.9 stars recorded on Google Review. Bringing on these exceptional achievements, Big Bath vows to achieve greater heights in the industry by getting listed on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market and becoming the bathroom and kitchen supplies market leader in South East Asia by 2027.

BUDGET 2022 & MYFutureJobs

SOCSO’s (PERKESO) Gayathri Vadivel, Head of Employment Services Department, Employment Insurance Office, and Andreas Charles Akobiarek, Head of Strategic Initiatives and MyFutureJobs, shared about the budget initiatives under JaminKerja hiring incentives, MyFutureJobs as well as SOCSO’s employment services through digital transformation.

SOCSO has been actively involved in providing compensation for those affected by employment injuries, and invalidity since the Act was gazetted in 1969. In 2017, SOCSO introduced the employment insurance system targeted at assisting retrenched workers to receive compensation such as cash benefits, apart from training incentives, among others.

This was purposed to assist them to find employment. Gayathri explained about SOCSO’s initiatives over the years aimed at benefiting employees across all industries in Malaysia. At SOCSO, employment services is aimed at assisting those actively seeking jobs, and the Employment Insurance Scheme (EIS) has enabled SOCSO to play a crucial role during the pandemic by providing allowances to retrenched workers. To-date, SOCSO has assisted more than 2.7million workers through cash incentives to employers in order to retain staff.

Hiring incentives was introduced in June 2020 to drive the recovery phase of the pandemic and to empower businesses by reducing operating costs while stimulating job creation and the economy as well as assisting unemployed individuals to return to work.

Gayathri shared that under the Employment Services framework, SOCSO provides job brokerage and job portal; active labour market programmes; technical and vocational education and training; labour market information and analytics; and, prevention of unemployment.

JAMINKERJA

JaminKerja was introduced in 2020, under SOCSO’s hiring incentives, to get more employers to recruit workers and subsequently revive the labour force. Since its introduction, more than 485,000 job placements have been made. Gayathri highlighted the evolution of SOCSO’s incentives from Pemulih to the improved and more inclusive JaminKerja programme. With an allocation of RM4.8billion, this initiative is seeking to create 600,000 job opportunities. Employers from all industrial categories that are registered with SOCSCO before January 2022 are eligible for this programme. Applications are open from 17 January to 30 June 2022 and can be made through https://jaminkerja.perkeso.gov.my.

MYFUTUREJOBS

According to Gayathri, MyFutureJobs is a state-of-the-art job portal that uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital technology to match candidates with suitable choices of occupation. Andreas advised that the portal features modules that include caseworker management, jobseeker module and employer module. Caseworker management portal allows case workers to manage information and acts as a proxy for employers and

jobseekers assigned to them. The jobseeker module is a candidate portal that helps job seekers to get personalised advice on available jobs, apply for jobs, and manage interview appointments. Meanwhile, the employer module enables employers to add, view and edit vacancies available in their company, with access to suitably matched candidates that have applied for the vacancies.

Data is collected by the system on a daily basis in order to drive improvements and formulate better programmes to help jobseekers. Andreas added that MyFutureJobs has a more holistic approach to matching candidates with the right jobs. Compared to traditional occupation-based matching, MyFutureJobs undertakes skills and competencies-based job matching, to achieve more accurate results.

To reach out to jobseekers and employers, SOCSO is collaborating with partners such as Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar, MCMC, and universities throughout Malaysia to establish 45 MyFutureJobs Satellite Centres throughout Malaysia, to create an access point where jobseekers can come to MyFutureJobs so that they can receive the necessary assistance to secure jobs. Andreas also demonstrated the MyFutureJobs portal to help employers attending the webinar understand better how to use the portal.

Through this portal, employers can select candidates, call for interviews and set the hiring process in motion easily. The portal also offers employers and employees a wide selection of candidates and organisations to explore. Interviews can be conducted at the Satellite Centres for the convenience of both employers and candidates.

ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES & CIDB ACT 520

Ahmad explained about the aim of CIDB Act 520 which was introduced to regulate, develop and ease the construction industry towards competing on a global scale. He explained that since 1994, the Act has been improved and revised to drive a robust construction industry. The objective of the Act is to build capacity and capability within the construction industry through improved quality and productivity by focusing on professionalism, innovation and knowledge towards quality of life. Ahmad elaborated that CIDB’s mission is to develop the construction industry in Malaysia, and its vision is to achieve global excellence in the construction industry.

CIDB has 14 distinct functions that include advancing and stimulating development, improving and expanding the construction industry; serving as an advisory and giving recommendations to the Federal government

and state governments on industry matters; advancing and driving research associated with the industry; and, controlling the quality of workmanship within the industry, among other functions.

In defining the role of contractors, Ahmad explains that contractor is an individual that carries out or completes or pledges to carry out and complete work. A registered contractor is an individual registered under Act 520. He also expounded on the meaning of construction works which is to build, restore, install, repair, maintain, refurbish, improve, change and demolish buildings.

He stresses that contractors have five key responsibilities that include registering with CIDB under Act 520, declaration and levy, personal construction, site supervision and expertise, as well as construction materials. According to Ahmad, Section 25 (1) of the Act stipulates that no person is to carry out

or complete, or pledge to undertake any kind of construction work as a contractor unless the individual is registered with CIDB and holds a valid registration certificate issued by the board. Meanwhile Section 29 of the Act states that any person found to contravene sub-section 25(1) is committing an offence

Ahmad Budiyanto Wardi from CIDB’s enforcement Division addressed MIIP members on the regulations and requirements of the CIDB Act 520.

and is liable, if convicted, to face a fine of not less than RM10,000 and not exceeding RM100,000.

Ahmad also shared the registration criteria for contractors from Grade G1 to G7. He also shared about the codes and scope of work of each grade, starting from Grade G1 with an eligibility to tender and take on projects not more than RM200,000 up to G7, with an eligibility to take on projects of unlimited value. He also advised on parameters for financial capabilities evaluation. He also explained about CIDB’s Centralised Information Management System which enables contractors to register, make declaration on projects and levy, scores, appeals and disciplinary action, competency management, and construction personnel, among other features.

Section 34(1) of the Act calls for contractors to declare and submit to the Board, all construction project contracts that have been awarded. Meanwhile, Section 34(2) states that all contracts that are mentioned under subsection (1), which has a value of more than

RM500,000, the contractors are responsible to pay to the Board a levy at the rate of a quarter percent of the contract’s value. Section 34(3) states that every contractor has to fully manifest the facts to the Board and condition concerning liabilities on levy.

Contractors who fail to pay the stipulated levy within the timeframe provided by the Board, are committing an offence and liable to be fined not more than RM50,000 or four times the value of the levy, whichever is higher. Contractors who do not comply to sub-section (1) and (3) are committing an offence and are liable, if convicted, to be fined not more than RM50,000. Ahmad stressed that personnel carrying out any type of construction works must be registered, if not they are liable to be fined. Section 2(1) of the Act stipulates that construction personnel include general workers, partially-skilled workers, skilled workers, project managers, and any other worker involved in construction work. The criteria for registration of construction personnel includes all workers being of the

age of 18 years and above (except for Sabah and Sarawak, where the minimum age is 16 and above); involvement or working in the construction industry and carrying out works; to have attended Safety Induction course for construction personnel, which is recognised by CIDB; and, adhering to all laws under Act 520. He showed samples of the ‘green card’ issued by CIDB to all registered construction industry personnel. Ahmad showed the attendees the list of skilled construction personnel under Schedule 3, stipulated in Seksyen 2 and subseksyen 33A(2).

Materials or products used in the construction industry require the approval of CIDB. Section 33(1) of the Act stipulates that all contractors have to comply with the list of materials in Schedule 4, failing which they will face a fine. Those found using materials that are not recognised or approved by CIDB are liable to be fined. Ahmad shared many instances where construction companies have been fined for non-compliance to the Act. Schedule 4 of the Act provides a comprehensive list of standard materials approved and recognised by the Board.

BASIC UNDERSTANDING & IMPLEMENTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY (EHS)

Poobalan Gopalakrishnan walked MIIP members through the basic understanding of EHS for ID works, interior fit-out, manufacturing and suppliers.

Tong S L, President of MIIP welcomed the attendees to the session and introduced the speaker. Poobalan has more than 26 years’ experience in the health and safety industry, and is currently a Director of Evershinex EC Sdn Bhd. The company specialises in occupational health and safety as well as handles tower crane operations, scaffolding works, HSSEQ Consultancy and manpower supply.

Speaking about the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Management System, Poobalan explained that first it is important to understand the Factory & Machinery Act (FMA) and OSH Act (OSHA). He explains that in the year 1967, the FMA was approved by Parliament. In 1970, the eight regulations under FMA were enforced. This Act was legislated to overcome weaknesses in the Machinery Ordinance 1953, and those working in an environment with no machinery were not protected under this Act.

He continues that OSHA was established in 1994 to promote and encourage OSH

awareness among workers and to create organisations with effective safety and health measures. OSHA covers various industries in Malaysia but uniform units such as the police and army are not covered under this Act. OSHA is also not applicable onboard ships governed by the merchant because shipping is covered under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 of Sabah and Sarawak. Poobalan also explained the differences between FMA and OSHA Acts. FMA covers only 24 percent of manpower, while OSHA covers 90 percent of manpower.

Expounding on the objectives of OSHA 1994, Poobalan says the Act is aimed at securing the safety, health and welfare of persons working against risks; protecting persons at a place of work other than persons at work against risks; and, promoting an occupational environment for persons at work which is adapted to their physiological and psychological needs. The purpose of the act is also to provide the means whereby the OSH legislations may be progressively replaced by a system of regulations and approved industry codes of practice operating in combination with

the provisions of this Act designed to maintain or improve the standards of safety and health.

He adds that the utmost priority of OSHA is accident prevention, followed by inculcating co-operation between management and workers, ensuring that top management take the lead in OSH, defining OSH policies, obtaining resources to achieve the policy and encouraging the use of best practices.

Employers must have OSH policies in place, establish an OSH committee, appoint a Safety Officer and carry out reporting of accidents, Poobalan advises. There are 34 guidelines under OSHA that employers are required to adhere.

He explained that there are several general duties of employers and self-employed persons under Section 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the Act. The topmost priority is to ensure safety, health and welfare of employees at work. Other duties include providing and maintaining a safe working environment; maintaining of plant and system of work; ensuring safety during operation, handling storage and transport; providing information, instruction, training and

supervision; and, providing and maintaining safe outlet for entering and leaving.

Poobalan explains that under the Act, OSH policies are required for any organisation that has more than five workers, failing which there will be a fine imposed. The company also has to ensure other persons are not exposed to risk from activities at the workplace; and, to disseminate information on aspects of work activities that could affect the safety and health of others. Contravening Sections 15, 16, 17 and 18 is liable to a fine of RM50,000 or 2 years of imprisonment, or both. He also explained that the general duties of designers, manufacturers and suppliers which is also to ensure health and safety involved in the works carried out. He highlights that medical surveillance has to be carried out to ensure that no injury or death occurs in the workplace.

Organisations can either opt to have a full-time safety officer or a visiting officer to ensure that all regulations under the Act are complied to. Organisations with more than 40 or more employees are required to have a safety committee. Penalty for contravening this requirement is a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for a term not more than six

months or both. The committee needs to review incidences, as well as come up with improved safety measures and SOPs. Employers also need to ensure that the company has in place a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) policy. Policies must be created to suit the company’s business, environment and work processes.

Key to HSE implementation and awareness is conducting regular monitoring and inspections, conducting monthly safety programmes to raise awareness, conducting toolbox meetings, organising trainings and seminars to ensure a safe workplace, and conducting safety induction for all employees.

The foundations of health and safety revolve around HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control), explains Poobalan. He adds that the types of hazards include physical, chemical, ergonomical, biological, psychological and environment. Meanwhile, risk control involves, elimination control, substitution control, engineering control, administrative control, and personal protective equipment. HIRARC planning and implementation requires feedback and complaints, inspections and audit, ERP,

training, safety committee, policy, internal audit, SOPs, legal and accident as well as near misses reports. He advises that in achieving ISO14001, HIRARC is a key document that the authorities will require from the company.

He highlights that HSE implementation and awareness calls for a safe system of work. Also addressed during the talk were hazards, bad practices and work site conditions, personal protective equipment, noise control, dust control, maintenance schedules, emergencies plans, as well as COVID-19 SOPs, among others. Poobalan reminds business owners to ensure that work site housekeeping is carried out effectively to avoid and prevent accidents. Good housekeeping that can improve workplace safety include maintenance, dust, spills and waste.

There is a checklist on housekeeping under OSHA. In order to ensure EHS in the workplace, there needs to be a stringent but practical EHS management system. He advises to set KPIs for contractors and sub-contractors to ensure compliance to OSHA. He cautions not to compromise on safety just to cut costs as accidents can cause huge monetary losses.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE: OSHWA & OSHCIM

Occupational safety and health is one of the key priorities across industries to prevent and reduce occupational hazards and accidents. On that note, MIIP organised a webinar to provide guidance and knowledge to members on workplace safety. S. L. Tong, President of MIIP was at hand to welcome the guests to the webinar.

Nazruddin has a Master of Science in Emergency Response and Planning from University Putra Malaysia. He also holds a Mechanical Engineering Degree from University Teknologi Malaysia. He joined DOSH in 1992 and has been directly involved in the design section of the Industry Safety Division and the Forensic Engineering Division at DOSH state offices and headquarters. With 20 years of experience in DOSH, he currently serves as a Director of the Construction Safety Division of DOSH.

He explained that OSHWA which is Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) –

Workplace Assessment is an assessment conducted by employers while OSHWorkplace Audit is the enforcement of workplace OSH by DOSH.

“The objective of OSHWA is to improve the level of safety and health at the workplace, especially from a physical aspect. Using OSHWA we encourage the employer to conduct workplace assessment and identify existing hazards, after which a DOSH officer will conduct an inspection using the same checklist,” explained Nazruddin.

The frequency of employers conducting a workplace assessment, as advised by DOSH, is a minimum of twice a year. The assessment has to be carried out by a Safety and Health Officer (SHO) or an officer from DOSH. Nazruddin encourages MIIP members to appoint an OSH coordinator at worksites to comply with DOSH requirements. He shares that to-date, there are more than 1,000 OSH coordinators in the industry.

The OSH assessment has to be carried out and documented before any inspections are done by DOSH officers.

Nazruddin explains that OSHWA is suitable for general worksites, and not for construction sites or petrol station risk assessment. He elaborates that the implementation of OSHWA involves audit documents which make up 30 percent of the process while physical audits make up 70 percent. The checklist used for the audit comprises 73 questions on OSH with responses limited to Yes, No and Not Applicable. The checklist is available on DOSH’s website.

The audit document comprises policy guidelines, processes, training and recordkeeping. Nazruddin explained about the contents of the policy document which should be displayed, including the date, signature and the involvement of employees in safety and health. The process of auditing involves all employees within the organisation, and the DOSH officers may question any employee even general workers.

According to Section 16 of the OSHA Act, it is the duty of every employer and every self-

Nazruddin bin Mat Ali, Director, Construction Safety Division, Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (DOSH) addressed members of MIIP on the topic of workplace safety and the prevention of occupational accidents.

employed person to prepare and, as often as may be appropriate, to revise the written statement of the general OSH policy with respect to safety and health at work of employees. Every employee within the organisation has to be aware of the company’s OSH policies. In addition to that, the OSH policy has to be visible to all employees at all times.

The organising of OSH has to begin with the roles of everyone clearly stated within the organisation to safeguard safety and health of all employees, and this includes the role of DOSH as an enforcement agency. An OSH committee and an emergency response team has to be set-up within the organisation. Nazruddin explains that construction projects worth more than RM20 million require an appointed OSH officer, while the requirements for general manufacturing is to have an OSH officer when there are more than 500 workers. As for woodcutting and metal operations, an OSH officer is required for a population of workers exceeding 100. OSH meetings have to be held regularly to assess risk, conduct inspections and document hazards and accidents.

He pointed out that planning and design of OSH training programmes are important to ensure that employees and OSH officers are kept abreast with the latest requirements on safety and health. Nazruddin also stressed on the general duties of employers and self-employed persons to their employees which include ensuring safety and health at work; providing and maintaining the work environment and systems to reduce or prevent risks to health; ensuring safety in operations, handling, storage and transportation of goods and substances; providing information, training and supervision

on safety and health; and, ensuring access and exit points at work are safe.

In OSHA, practicality is key, in that, employers and employees are required to set in place practical means to mitigate, minimise and eliminate risks to safety and health within the organisation.

“You have to implement, systems of work or supervision in place to ensure employees’ safety and health,” stresses Nazruddin.

“Risk assessment is mandatory, whereby you assess and control the risks that are present in the workplace,” he adds, while stressing that documentation has to include all details of OSH practices within the organisation.

Nazruddin explained the definition of hazardous chemicals as well as the process of maintaining a register for hazardous chemicals. He pointed out that excessive noise is also considered a hazard and has to comply with noise regulations by DOSH.

Elaborating on the physical audit process, Nazruddin said it encompasses chemical hazards, noise pollution, ergonomics, workplace safety assessment, plant and machinery management, employee welfare and emergency response plan.

As for the grading of OSHWA, Nazruddin advised that it is best to stay within the ranges of A and B, while C is just moderate, and D to E not reflecting very well on the company’s OSHA practices.

Talking about OSHCIM, Nazruddin explains that it means OSH-in Construction Industry (Design & Management). The purpose of OSHCIM is to prevent hazards and accidents through design. He elaborated that across the USA, 42 percent of construction fatalities between 1990 and 2003, were

related to design issues. A 1995 study carried out in Europe found that 60 percent of fatalities were the result of decisions made before the site work even began. Meanwhile, 63 percent of fatalities and injuries could be attributed to design decisions associated with lack of planning.

Under OSHCIM’s preventive culture, the key principles revolve around avoiding risks; evaluating the risks; combating risks; adapting the work to the individual; adapting to technical progress; replacing dangerous substances; developing a coherent overall prevention policy; collective protective measures; and, providing appropriate instructions.

Addressing the five key elements of construction safety, Nazruddin explained that it is important to manage risks and the general principles of prevention. Also, appointing the right people and organisation is key, while making sure that everyone has the right information, instruction, training and supervision to carry out their jobs safely and healthily. Duty holders also have to cooperate and communicate with one another and co-ordinate their work, while consulting with workers and engaging them to develop effective safety, health and welfare measures is equally important.

On a question on how to create synergy between all parties to ensure safety and health within the organisation, Nazruddin advised it is best to take a top-down approach with higher management making a commitment to uphold OSH. A penalty system is also another suggestion offered by Nazruddin to ensure overall organisational commitment towards OSH.