Introduction Congratulations! If you are reading this, you’ve likely taken the first big step: you’ve appointed your OSH Coordinator. You’ve dodged the immediate RM50,000 penalty under Section 29A, and your workplace is safer for it.
But here is the hard truth: If you stop there, you are already falling behind.
The landscape of Malaysian workplace safety is shifting rapidly. With the introduction of the Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024 (CDM 2024), the rules of the game have changed. 2025 is your buffer year. By 2026, regulators won’t just be looking at your safety helmets—they’ll be looking at your design decisions and your team culture.
Here is your roadmap to upgrade your safety game and future-proof your business.
Phase 1: The Foundation (The Individual)
First, let’s secure the basics. Under the amended OSHA 1994, every SME with 5 or more employees must have a trained OSH Coordinator.
- Why? To manage daily risks and ensure compliance.
- The Risk: Failing to do this exposes you to a RM50,000 fine or imprisonment.
- Read More: If you haven’t done this yet, stop and read our guide on How to Avoid the RM50,000 Penalty. For a Bahasa Malaysia guide, check out Kenapa IKS Perlu Lantik OSH Coordinator.
Phase 2: The Engine (The Team)
Here is a common trap: “I have less than 40 employees, so I don’t need a Safety and Health Committee.” Legally, you might not fall under the SHC Regulations 1996. But strategically? You need a team.
Safety cannot be a one-man show run by your OSH Coordinator. You need eyes on the ground. You need a team that is awake, alert, and proactive. If your “safety team” exists only on paper, you are flying blind.
- The Reality: A “sleeping” committee (or a non-existent one) creates a false sense of security. Hazards pile up while everyone assumes “someone else is handling it.”
- The Fix: Learn to spot the red flags in your team culture.
- Read More: Check your team’s pulse with this article: The 5 Signs Your Committee is Sleeping and Why It’s Dangerous.
Phase 3: The New Reality (The System)
This is where many SME owners get blindsided. You might think, “I’m just a factory owner, not a developer. Construction rules don’t apply to me.”
Wrong.
With the new CDM Regulations 2024, if you hire a contractor to renovate your office, install a new roof, or set up solar panels, YOU are the “Client.”
- The Shift: Responsibility no longer sits solely with the contractor. It starts with the Client and the Designer.
- The Duty: You must provide Pre-Construction Information. You must ensure safety is considered before a single hammer is swung.
Phase 4: The Reality Check (The Solar Installer Case)
Why does this combination of Coordinator, Team, and System matter? Let’s look at a real-world scenario we recently discussed: Working at Height (WaH).
We recently analyzed a case where a solar panel installer with years of experience didn’t know the basic WaH requirements. How is that possible?
- The Old View: “The worker was careless.”
- The New View: “The system failed.” Was the roof designed with anchor points? Did the SME owner (Client) inform the contractor about roof fragility? Did the Safety Committee spot the unsafe practice?
It is an unbelievable but sad truth: experience does not equal safety if the system is flawed. Without understanding CDM Malaysia 2024, you are leaving your gates open to accidents that are now legally your problem.
- Deep Dive: Read the full analysis of the solar installer case here: Working at Height in Malaysia: Navigating DOSH Guidelines & CDM 2024.
How to “Upgrade Your Game” for 2026
SME Safety Compliance is no longer just about buying PPE. It is about Prevention through Design (PtD) and Active Participation.
- Educate Your Top Management: Safety is now a boardroom discussion.
- Wake Up Your Committee: Engage your staff, even if you are small.
- Review Your Renovation Plans: Planning to expand in 2026? Start the safety design review now under CDM.
The Bottom Line
The gap between “Compliance” and “Negligence” is getting smaller. The authorities are moving toward a self-regulatory model where you must prove you managed the risk. Don’t wait for an accident to learn the regulations.
Ready to secure your business for the future? At Perintosh, we specialize in bridging the gap between complex regulations and practical SME needs. From OSH Coordinator training to CDM advisory, we are your partners in safety.👉 Visit www.perintosh.com today to start your safety upgrade.
