21 June till 4 July 2008

A QMS ISO Steering Committee Meeting was carried out in KL. Presented the draft Quality Manual including the policy to the Committee. It was agreed earlier to transfer the existing certification of one of its subsidiaries to UEML. The committee decided to integrate the QMS ISO with the OHSAS.. They have also asked to appoint a consultant to ensure that the processes to be identified for the QMS.

They also requested for the EMS to be included too. However, we advised that the staffs will not be able to handle too many changes at one time. The major change to implement the QMS ISO procedures is hard enough as some are reluctant to provide due to time constraint, they say.

In consultation with one of our J/V Company, Horizon Hills Sdn Bhd, a consultant was identified as they have done consultancy for some of the major property developers in Malaysia. 2 other consultants were identified in order to comply with our tendering procedures as per the Red Book (one of the initiatives for Govt Linked Companies – GLC).

Discussions were then held with the 3 Consultants for them to submit their financial and technical proposal for us to carry out an integrated systems, audits and the required trainings and awareness.

The same week, HIRARD inspections were carried out. It was identified earlier during the first compliance audit. The OSH-MS manual was also discussed and reviewed with 3 other project personnel and they commented on the relevancy and do-able procedures. Some of the comments were very positive and was adopted.

During this period, a study tour to the Fire & Rescue Dept was conducted for the appointed Emergency Response Team members. It was as an exposure to the activities that are being carried out by the fire fighters. Briefings on the equipment used, getting up in the sky lifts of up to 70 metres high, abseiling, and also riding on their vehicles.

The team had a lot of fun and we ended the session with tokens to all the fire fighters (22 of them) involved in making the event successful.

Next we had the OHSAS Main Committee meeting later in the week, issues arising were discussed, especially on the issues of the accident at project site as it is within Nusajaya. The PMC, and the Contractor were brought in to present to us on the accident and action to be taken were discussed.The Managing Director showed his concerns for the deceased family and asked the contractor to ensure all money due or claimable to be delivered to the family.

We then had a launching ceremony at the end of the week for the new OSHE Policy to be shared with all staffs within the UEML. We had the honour of the Managing Director to cut the ribbon to launch the policy. Letters of appointment were handed over to the new Employer and Employee representatives (with each given a cap) together with the appointed First Aiders (provided with T-shirts). The event ended with a photo taking sessions of all the appointed members.

http://intranet.uemland.com/home/news/highlights/1020607479/Article.aspx

Main OSHE Committee & Emergency Response Team members

7 June till 20 June 2008

Risk management meeting was attended and issues on Environmental team was highlighted to be formed. Issues on manpower was also raised and HR was to screen and identify the candidates immediately.

I6 June 2008 morning about 11am, our Safety Manager informed that he is off to site visit and I requested to follow, unknowingly, a fatal accident had happened half an hour earlier. He assumed that I was informed.

That indicates the communication flow that I need to address within the dept. The police were informed by the contractor prior to our arrival at the place of incident. The project site is managed by the Project Management Consultant ( OPUS Bhd - a subsidiary of the UEM Group of companies). The Contractor's safety officer from UEM Construction, briefed us on the incident and we advised them on the necessary actions that needs to be taken in the future.

Apparently, the trench had caved in as there were no proper shoring to the sides. To make things worst, a shallower trench was dug hardly 2 ft away from the deeper trench and was filled with rain water the night before. Reminders were given to the contractors by the PMC and project personnel even during the meeting held the week before but no actions were taken by the contractors to improve the situations.

Stop work order for 2 weeks were issued by the Dept of Occ Safety & Health and will remain until they satisfy DOSH's requirements.

The contractors were required to also attend to the deceased and make the necessary claims with the insurance,etc

By the evening a memo was issued out to all the other Project Heads and advised to ensure all necessary requirements and safety precautions are adhered to and made the above case as an example of what might happen if they do not take heed of safety requirements.

Sometimes it takes something tragic to make us realize the importance of compliance.

6 June 2008

Attended the closing ceremony of the UEM Group Sports Carnival followed by a training on Quality Management Representative. The following day, a meeting was held with Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd a Township Development Authority of Putrajaya, a Government Administrative Development.

Set up for the dept of Occ. Safety, Health & Environment were discussed and arrangement for a study tour and site visit was agreed upon, subject to our management’s approval.

From the discussion, issues arising from their experience were identified and examples given. Namely the issues were quite similar in terms of coordinating with 3^rd party property developer within the development.

Later in the week, the draft for the new OSH policy was discussed and was forwarded to Corporate Communications dept for consistency with the company’s branding, mission and vision statement. Feedbacks were obtained and amendments carried out. The new policy was then submitted to the CEO for his signature.

Vetting through of the new upgraded OHSAS manual was also done and commented.

Preparations for the launching of the new OSH policy, Appointment of Main OSH Committee members and the balance of the Emergency Response Team was coordinated and assigned to the immediate staff of QAOSHE dept.

24 May 2008

Attended seminar on Occ. Safety, Health & Environment in the Construction Industry conducted by the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia and the following issues were raised. and discussed:

i. The Principles of Safety First

ii. OSH Theory and best Practices

iii. Problems and Practical Solutions

One of the best practices were also shared with a renowned Contractor IJM Corporation Bhd

It was an interesting seminar as it was the first for me to attend upon having to handle the OSHE unit.

Discussed with HR General Manager on the dept’s manpower as the requirement for OSHE unit was unbudgeted for year 2008. Even for the position of the Quality Manager has yet to be filled up since requested from early last year. A candidate was identified but accepted a better offer form another company to work abroad. Getting the right people is quite a hassle as most do not want to come down to Johor if they are based in Kuala Lumpur.

Site visits were conducted to identify issues and non compliance on site. Discussions held with contractors and they raised the issues on least occ. Safety & health implementation due to cost and lack of awareness.

Non compliance includes absence of personnel protective equipments (PPE) such as safety helmets and safety boots/ shoes, protection of slopes for trenches, sppeding of lorries at construction sites (more than 15 km per hr), etc

10 May to 23 May 2008

It was a hectic couple of weeks as the Group of Companies organized the Sports Carnival which started from 26 April till 25 May 2008.

Apart from the site visits and audits, juggling between Quality Assurance matters, then switching to Occupational Safety & Health matters and then tackling Environmental issues that has been a constantly arising can really use up a lot of energy. Ignorance and negligence of the project developers, be it internal or external within Nusajaya has been the major issue and needs to be addressed, if not immediately, has to be done regularly.

This week started subscribing to an online Occupational Heath & Safety magazine. Interesting topics such as
http://www.ohsonline.com/articles/61576/ for Shifting of Paradigm, http://www.ohsonline.com/articles/61578/for Emerging Roles of Safety Professional to be a Change Agent and a few more.

30 April to 9 May 2008

Coming out with the OSH kit for the Project Implementation Team was carried out earlier. the draft was commented, edited and updated before presenting and briefing held to them last month.

The attendance rate was not so good for the first and second sessions held but improved during the 3rd session. Positive feedbacks were received on the effectiveness of OSH Kit.

Meetings were held with the local Fire Dept and Red Crescent to organise the Fire and Evacuation drill which we schedule in July 2008. We intend to have a full pledge drill with the involvement of Fire Dept., Red Crescent (Medical Team) and the Police Dept.

They are very supportive of the exercise and Red Crescent even suggested that we have role play/drama for the injured staffs in full make up.

A mock fire and evacuation drill was held last year by the then organising dept which only involved the staffs only. So taking the opportunity to organise the full drill this year was indeed exciting. Checklists were listed and discussed. Setting up of the full Emergency Response Team (ERT) was also crucial before the full drill.

Earlier this year, we had organised for the appointment of the Fire Wardens from within the staffs as they have undergone the required basic trainings conducted earlier by the Fire Dept. It was also part of acknowledging their contribution or future contribution for that matter. T-shirts and Safety vests including their certificates were presented during the ceremony. They gave a positive response to their appointment. Somehow the impact of organising such event is very positive.

Following that we wanted to find a way to disseminate info to everyone without having to send emails to all staff and after discussions with the our team, it was decided to promote the dept QASHE to everyone via the company intranet.
On 5 May 2008, the first bulletin was launched on the intranet and followed by a series of infos, tips, incidents and other news related to Quality, Occ. safety, Health and Environment.
The link can be viewed from the following.

http://intranet.uemland.com/home/news/qashebulletin/1100448478/Article.aspx

22 April till 29 April 2008

Had a meeting within the dept staff on 28 April 2008, mainly to highlight the outcome of the management meeting held the week before. Matters on the way forward were discussed and it was decided that the Change required for the company is to create better awareness and trainings for Occupational Safety, Health & Environment (OSHE). Safian, the OSHE Manager will be the key Line Manager for the task.

Training schedules were further discussed and updated on the current status of the Occ. Safety & Health apart from the other issues arising. Individual staff were very supportive of the inintiatives and would also like to contribute. Other Line Managers were identified ie. Zamani Kasim(General Manager for Water Front Development) and Rusli Zanal Abidin (General Manager for Township and Infrastructure Planning).

Both has their strength especially knowledge on Environmental issues and keen implementors of OSH matters. The project site can be a test case for the OSHE programme.

Even the movie "Forbidden Kingdom" with actors Jet Li & Jackie Chan, talks about change of the same title as this blog.

"CHANGE" is a powerful thing but with the Right Attitude!

Change Agent

After going through my course materials again, the one thing during the course was a negative perception people tend to have about HR Dept. Though many have had the same negative experience (I had my share of it!) I would like to prove some of them wrong!
This morning I have asked my Human Resource & Admin (HRA) General Manager to be one of my Change Agent, and he accepted it positively.
My concern is that, he is based in KL, though he does come down to Johor office almost every Thursday and/or Friday. We will get to meet up tomorrow after the Management meeting or if not by Monday morning next week for me to brief and update him.
I have yet to inform to my next proposed Change Agent, another General Manager for Risk Management & TransformationDept. Hope to some pretty good experience from him regarding "Change".

Will be going for the opening of a Boat Show in Singapore as it is attended by one of our development in Water Front. Need some exposure on the international level of carrying out things. It should be ending by 3.30pm and will be back in the office by 5pm latest.

First Blog

The first day in setting up the BLOG and getting to know new things about BLOGGING.

First and foremost, lets get introduced.
I am Sohailah and attached to UEM Land Bhd within the UEM Group of Companies, Malaysia. Currently based in Johor, a state in the southern most of Malaysia

Attended a training and at the end of the LOC training on April 10, 2008, I felt really geared up for any changes that's possible. Concerns were aplenty and none were easy.

Had to attend another 2 days conference immediately after the training and therefore the discussions with my staff within my dept was only done on April 14. In fact a meeting with BCA Singapore was earlier but I was already disseminating some of what was learnt into the meeting.
During the staff meeting, I briefed them about the possible changes that we need to seek. One thing for sure, I do get positive feedback and support from them.
We were discussing about how to implement the change throughout the company, rather than the dept.
We are a new setup and a lot needs to still be implemented.

Last week was another 2 1/2 days of Excellence Conference by the Group. It was truly enlightening and sets the momentum for things to come.
A few sessions deals with what I had gathered from the LOC training and find it intriguing as the terms, statements, phrases mentioned, were familiar. A few of the other participants were there and we exchanged our thoughts on it as well.

The main points noted from the conference were:

• Developing Passion in the Team
  
• Failure To Implement (FTI)
• Insanity is doing the same thing over & over again but expecting different results
• Precision in Timing
  
• Transknowformance (Transforming Knowledge into Performance)
• Knowledge Management
• Unlearn & Relearn

With the Top Management support in Quality, Safety, Health & Environment, we can succeed in these changes