Wednesday, 06 September 2023 – Throughout September 2023, the Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA), with the Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi), will conduct a series of events to raise awareness and improve workplace safety and health standards within the construction industry.

Yang Mulia Haji Junit Bin Haji Zakaria, Director of the Strategic Planning Division, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted that the construction industry remains one of the main SAFETY concerns due to the high number of workplace injuries and fatalities in the construction sites. Since 2013, a total of 44 workplace fatalities have been recorded in the construction sector, representing 61% of the total workplace fatalities recorded in the country. In terms of work-related injuries, the construction industry constitutes 40% of the total number over the same period.

The initial session targeted architects, professional engineers, and government representatives involved in building operations and maintenance within their respective ministries and departments. The subsequent two sessions are targeted to class 4 - 6 contractors.

The socialisation events will introduce SHENA’s Safety and Health Notification for Building Operations/Works of Engineering Construction (BOWEC) which will embedded into the OneBiz portal under ABCi’s Form C applications as well as requirements for the appointment of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Officers and/ or Co-ordinators as per the Workplace Safety and Health Order, 2009.

Appointment of WSH Officers, according to the Workplace Safety and Health (Workplace Safety and Health Officers) Regulations, 2014, are to be appointed for workplaces with BOWEC amounting to a contract sum of more than BND 10 million. Whereas appointment of a WSH Co-ordinator is for workplaces where BOWEC with a contract sum of less than BND 10 million as per the Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations, 2014.

Any Occupier who fails to comply with the above legislation is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding BND 10,000 and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding BND 1,000 for every day which the offence continues. A grace period of 6 months will be granted to class 4 - 6 contractors following the date of the socialisation. Whereas 2 years will be given to class 1 - 3 contractors to comply with the requirement.

The Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) Secretariat was also invited to brief on the HSE Competency Apprenticeship Programme. The programme aimed at supporting companies in developing the competency skills of their staff through subsidised professional training in IOSH Managing Safely and NEBOSH International General Certificate of Occupational Health and Safety Training provided by registered training providers.

To learn more or register for the forthcoming events for class 4 - 6 contractors on 13 and 20 September 2023, please click the General Enquiries button at www.shena.gov.bn.