CIDB cert mandatory for construction workers, site supervisors from June 1, 2016

Johor CIDB Director Othman Safar said the new ruling applies to all skilled construction workers and site supervisors, whether local or foreign, but excludes general construction workers.

"For now, the competency certificate is free for all local skilled construction workers, while foreign site supervisors and foreign skilled construction workers are charged between RM370 and RM700 depending on their skills.

"To obtain the certifcate, they need to undergo five to 10 days of training depending on their skills, or they can assessed through a one-day test," he told Bernama here before leading an enforcement operation at a site near the Legoland theme park here on Tuesday.

Under the Third Schedule of Section 2 and Subsection 33A(2) of Act 520 (the CIDB Act), 59 types of skilled construction workers need to have a competency certificate.

They include air conditioning installers, carpenters, ceiling installers, machine operators, public works and structural draughtsmen, concrete pump operators, metal workers, gas pipe fitters, painters, boring machine operators, and fire protection equipment installers.

In Johor, 61,871 local and foreign workers have the certificate.

Othman said failure to abide by the ruling could result in a fine not exceeding RM5,000 for the offending worker and employer.

"However, we wish to stress that the certificate is to ensure the workers are capable of fulfilling their tasks and follow all safety regulations at the building site," he said.

Of the 27 construction sites inspected by CIDB in state-wide operations since January this year, two projects were found to have committed an offence by using the services of four unregistered sub-contractors, resulting in the immediate issuance of a stop-work order, he said.