From classroom to construction site: Applying UK best practice in Malaysia with RoSPA’s NEBOSH training
As an Enforcement Officer with Malaysia’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Shamsul Bahri bin Sahgidon plays a vital role in ensuring that construction sites across the state of Johor meet national safety standards. With the introduction of Malaysia’s updated CDM Regulations in 2024, Shamsul faced a growing challenge: helping industry professionals understand and comply with their legal responsibilities.
To strengthen his knowledge and bring international best practices to his work, Shamsul enrolled in RoSPA’s NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction course and visited the UK to attend in person. Here, he shares how the training has enhanced his confidence, deepened his expertise and empowered him to drive meaningful change in Malaysia’s construction sector.
The challenge:
Shamsul says: “My role involves ensuring that construction activities comply with national occupational safety and health requirements. The main laws and regulations I enforce include the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994 (amended 2022), its subsidiary regulations, and specifically the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2024. Together, these form the legal framework that promotes safe design, planning, and management of construction projects throughout Malaysia.
“One of the main health and safety issues I face is that many people in the industry are still not fully aware of the legal requirements, especially under the new CDM Regulations. This is particularly true for those in new roles, such as clients and architects, who now have clearer responsibilities for managing safety during the design and planning stages. The biggest challenge is educating and guiding the industry to comply with these new duties. Larger companies usually understand and adapt more quickly, but small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often need more support and guidance to meet the requirements.”
The solution:
Shamsul said: “My department selected a group of candidates from Malaysia, including myself and my colleagues, to attend the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction course. I decided to take this course because the United Kingdom has implemented the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations since 2015, so I wanted to learn how these regulations are applied in practice, particularly how safety is integrated into the design and planning stages of construction. Through this course, I aimed to understand the best practices used in the UK and explore how these approaches could be adapted and applied to improve construction safety management in Malaysia.
“I found the course very good because the syllabus covered many important issues related to construction safety. The most useful part for me was the way the lecturer explained each topic clearly and shared practical examples, guidelines and best practices used in the UK. This helped me understand how safety is managed effectively on construction projects and how these methods could be applied in Malaysia.
“I would definitely recommend studying with RoSPA. The facilities they provide are excellent, and the lecturers are very experienced and supportive. I especially appreciated that during my time in Birmingham, I could see real construction projects while walking to the RoSPA centre. This helped me connect what the lecturer explained in class with how the safety requirements are actually applied on-site in the UK. It made the learning experience very practical and meaningful.”
Results:
Shamsul said: “Studying the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction course has given me a valuable new experience and a deeper understanding of international best practices. It has helped me share these practices with the construction industry in Malaysia, especially in guiding clients and architects on their roles and responsibilities under the CDM Regulations.
“The course has also made me feel more confident when promoting and presenting about CDM requirements during my official talks and training sessions. Overall, it has strengthened both my professional knowledge and my contribution to improving safety standards within my organisation.”
Enrol today in the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction course and take the next step toward safer, smarter construction management. Choose from flexible online, virtual or in-company training options to suit your schedule.