KUCHING, June 7: All local and foreign workers at construction sites must take Covid-19 swab tests before they are allowed to work.
This is among the latest standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the construction sector issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD).
MIPD in a press statement said all construction industry players have to comply with the current SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19.
It added workers are not allowed to go from one construction site to another during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period until June 14 adding that movement between construction sites and centralised labour quarters (CLQ) must be controlled to prevent Covid-19 from spreading from construction sites to local communities.
Additionally, contractors are required to provide transport for workers travelling between CLQs and construction sites if they are located off-site.
They are also required to ensure daily necessities such as food and personal hygiene necessities for site workers are provided to minimise workers’ movement and to protect local residents from potential Covid-19 infections.
MIPD highlighted that operating hours for employees are from 6am to 8pm and workforce capacity is limited to 60 per cent.
The ministry also reminded contractors to appoint safety and health officers to be responsible for monitoring SOP compliance at construction sites together with other safety and health guidelines.
Meanwhile, project site supervisors are responsible to ensure full SOP compliance throughout construction work.
MIPD said only critical maintenance and repair works which if not continued could cause danger to the public and construction work involving major and critical public infrastructure may be carried out during the MCO period.
Details of the conditions and types of work allowed are stated in the construction sector SOP which may be downloaded from www.cidb.gov.my.
On another note, MIPD said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has the authority to close construction sites and impose compounds on those sites found to have breached SOPs.
CIDB may also impose disciplinary action on contractors found guilty of the offence as listed under Act 520 (Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board Act), Act 446 (Minimum Housing Standards Act and Employee Facilities 1990) and Act 342 (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988). — DayakDaily
