KOTA KINABALU: A main contractor was found to have hired skilled labourers without the proper accreditation during a workplace compliance spot check on construction sites in Sabah’s east coast Sandakan district.

Sandakan Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) branch manager Poul Joannes said this violated Section 33A(6) of the CIDB Act 1994.

“The contractor employed skilled construction workers who were not certified by the CIDB,” he said in a statement Friday (Sept 13).

He said the integrated operation on Thursday (Sept 12), led by Sandakan CIDB and involving six other agencies, also screened three sub-contractors.

A total of 16 workers were screened and 13 of them were found to be unaccredited.

“The CIDB issued nine notices while the Occupational Safety and Health Department and Sabah Health Department issued two notices each for various infringements,” Joannes said.

At the same time, he said the Manpower Department issued three notices, the Social Security Organisation one notice and the Sandakan Municipal Council issued a warning to the contractor in question.

The operation aimed to raise awareness of the rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs) on construction sites, he added.

“It also creates a sense of cooperation among departments and agencies involved in enforcing the law," he said.

According to Joannes, 22 investigation papers were opened against contractors for various violations last year, with compound notices issued in 22 cases and disciplinary action recommended in two others.

For the second quarter of this year, he said 13 investigation papers were opened, nine compound notices issued for a host of worksite infringements and four recommended for disciplinary action.

He noted that projects with a total value of RM2.5bil were registered in Sandakan division last year, covering the districts of Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Beluran, Tongod and Telupid.

Up to Thursday this year, the total value of projects registered came to RM888mil.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/13/building-code-violations-found-during-construction-site-spot-checks-in-sandakan