Under Construction II Ankara, 15 th May 2009 FOBC activities in health and safety JOHN SCICLUNA Malta

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry activities in health and safety Maintaining an active OHS Committee Maintaining an active OHS Committee Issuing Fact Sheets Issuing Fact Sheets Database of OHS contacts within member firms Database of OHS contacts within member firms Education Education

The OHS Committee’s mission Contact point between enterprises and public institutions Contact point between enterprises and public institutions Networking activities Networking activities Awareness of the importance of good OHS practice Awareness of the importance of good OHS practice To lobby with government on OHS issues. To lobby with government on OHS issues.

OHS Committee key values Right to work in a safe environment Right to work in a safe environment Responsibility to work towards total elimination of injuries and accidents in the workplace Responsibility to work towards total elimination of injuries and accidents in the workplace Implementation of proper safety systems will minimise the risk of injuries and incidents Implementation of proper safety systems will minimise the risk of injuries and incidents Ethical, professional, legal and personal obligation and responsibility to ensure that employees, contractors and consultants’ rights are protected and respected. Ethical, professional, legal and personal obligation and responsibility to ensure that employees, contractors and consultants’ rights are protected and respected.

OHS Social Dialogue Most construction workers are non- unionised Most construction workers are non- unionised OHS social dialogue is practically non- existent. OHS social dialogue is practically non- existent.

Classification of contractors Building contractors so far not covered by a trading licence. Building contractors so far not covered by a trading licence. FOBC has been striving for a system of registration of contractors to foster professionalism. FOBC has been striving for a system of registration of contractors to foster professionalism. Most Government tenders awarded to lowest bidder not according to bidder’s expertise and past performance. Most Government tenders awarded to lowest bidder not according to bidder’s expertise and past performance.

Draft construction regulations Proposed measures include registration of building tradesmen and contractors. Proposed measures include registration of building tradesmen and contractors. Registration to be based on capabilities of applicants Registration to be based on capabilities of applicants Certificates to building contractors and tradesmen Certificates to building contractors and tradesmen Licences for masons. Licences for masons.

Categories of registration general building and civil engineering general building and civil engineering building (only) building (only) civil engineering (only) civil engineering (only) excavation (only) excavation (only) scaffolding (only) scaffolding (only) installations installations building completion. building completion.

Building regulations Building regulations will cover a number of purposes, including securing the health, safety, convenience and welfare of persons in or about buildings persons in or about buildings persons who may be affected by buildings or by matters connected with building. persons who may be affected by buildings or by matters connected with building.

Other provisions Contractors and developers to be insured for at least €500,000 to cover third-party damages, disability or death. Contractors and developers to be insured for at least €500,000 to cover third-party damages, disability or death. Fines of up to €2,400 (plus €200 per day) for contraventions Fines of up to €2,400 (plus €200 per day) for contraventions Contractors to submit method statement at least three weeks before the commencement of works. Contractors to submit method statement at least three weeks before the commencement of works.

Federation of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors c/o The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, The Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1117, Malta. Tel: (+356) Fax: (+356)