KUALA LUMPUR – The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has urged industry players to comply with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) following the surge in cases at construction sites.
To date, the number of cases at construction sites – particularly those in the Klang Valley – have exceeded 4,000, and in a statement today, CIDB said the situation has taken an alarming turn.
It stressed that all contractors should be responsible and must comply with all SOPs set by the National Security Council (NSC).
“CIDB will intensify construction site inspection activities, and if a site has been found to be non-compliant with SOPs, action may be taken against the contractor under Section 34B(1)(c) and Section 34C(1) of the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia Act 1994 (Act 520),” it said.
CIDB said under the clause, contractors are obliged to ensure the safety of the building and construction work, during and post-construction.
“Should they fail to abide, the CIDB may take several actions, including issuing a stop-work order for the project site,” it said.
Additionally, contractors will also face disciplinary action, including penalties as well as their licences being suspended or even revoked.
From April 20 to December 17, CIDB has conducted 13,977 inspections on 7,996 construction sites nationwide.
Of the total, 7,840 (98%) have started operating, it said, adding that 7,522 (96%) of those sites complied with the SOP, while 318 (4%) were found to be non-compliant.
Meanwhile, CIDB chief executive Datuk Ir Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid said the rise in new Covid-19 cases was due to increased testing on migrant workers in states placed under the conditional movement control order.
He said the move would allow those with Covid-19 and their close contacts to be isolated to curb the pandemic’s spread.
“Contractors are also urged to comply with the Minimum Standards for Housing and Employment Facilities (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act 446).
“SOP compliance is not only important to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it can also help to protect contractors and clients from losses in the long run,” said Ahmad ‘Asri. – Bernama, December 21, 2020
