AN EXAMINATION OF DESIGN FOR SAFETY LEGISLATION IN CONSTRUCTION ACROSS MALAYSIA, UNITED KINGDOM, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, AND SINGAPORE: A DOCTRINAL ANALYSIS APPROACH

Authors

  • Mashitah Mohamad Hanafiah Faculty of Civil Engineering, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA, SHAH ALAM
  • Mazlina Zaira Mohammad Faculty of Civil Engineering, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA, SHAH ALAM
  • Nor Syamimi Samsudin Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA, PERAK BRANCH
  • Natasha Khalil Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA, PERAK BRANCH
  • Siti Azira Abd Rahim Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MARA, INTI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i41.2007

Keywords:

Design for Safety, Construction for Safety Legislation, Doctrinal Analysis, Malaysia, United Kingdom, New Zealand,, Australia, Singapore

Abstract

This study undertakes a doctrinal analysis of Design for Safety legislation within the construction sectors of Malaysia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. The research identifies commonalities and divergences in how each jurisdiction integrates safety considerations during the design phase to mitigate construction risks by examining statutory frameworks, regulatory duties, and enforcement mechanisms. The study further contextualizes legal provisions through a comparative evaluation of construction accident data from 2023, revealing correlations between legislative rigor and safety outcomes. The findings indicate that while all jurisdictions emphasize early hazard identification and risk elimination, differences in enforcement practices and stakeholder responsibilities impact effectiveness. Malaysia’s recent 2024 regulations demonstrate progressive alignment with international best practices. The paper contributes to legal scholarship by highlighting the pivotal role of design-focused legislation in advancing occupational safety, offering insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders aiming to enhance construction safety through proactive legal frameworks.

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Published

2026-04-13

How to Cite

Mohamad Hanafiah, M., Mohammad, M. Z., Samsudin, N. S., Khalil, N., & Abd Rahim, S. A. (2026). AN EXAMINATION OF DESIGN FOR SAFETY LEGISLATION IN CONSTRUCTION ACROSS MALAYSIA, UNITED KINGDOM, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, AND SINGAPORE: A DOCTRINAL ANALYSIS APPROACH. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 24(41). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i41.2007

Issue

Vol. 24 (2026): PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL : Volume 24, Issue 2, 2026

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Article

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