What is HSE Manpower Supply

HSE manpower supply (Health, Safety, and Environment) service refers to the provision of qualified safety and health personnel to assist workplaces in meeting regulatory, operational, and safety requirements. These personnel may be engaged on a short-term, project-based, or contract basis depending on the needs of the organization.

Instead of undergoing the process of permanent recruitment, companies may engage trained professionals through third-party service providers like us to support their HSE functions as needed.

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Who Needs an Outsourced HSE Manpower

Organizations that typically benefit from HSE manpower supply services include:

  • Construction and engineering firms working on project-based contracts
  • Manufacturing plants that scale operations depending on demand
  • Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that may not have permanent safety personnel
  • Organizations with temporary needs, such as shutdowns, confined space works, or major renovations

Outsourcing allows these companies to maintain legal compliance and safety performance while managing costs and workforce flexibility.

When Permanent Hiring May be Worth Considered

In certain situations, permanent hiring may be a more suitable option:

  • When the organization consistently operates in a high-risk environment
  • When continuous safety monitoring and policy development are needed
  • When internal capacity building is part of long-term goals
  • When HSE functions are central to the organization’s operations or core services

Large organizations or those involved in ongoing infrastructure or industrial operations may find that full-time HSE staff offer greater continuity and control.

What HSE Manpower We Offer

We provide several categories of trained and certified HSE personnel, suitable for various industry needs and regulatory requirements. The following roles are available through our manpower supply service:

1. HSE Manager and HSE Executive

HSE Managers and Executives are responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining workplace safety and environmental health programs. They are involved in risk assessments, compliance strategies, training, and audits. For SMEs or project-based companies, hiring HSE professionals on a contractual basis allows flexibility while maintaining required standards.

2. Safety and Health Officer (SHO)

According to the Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Officer) Order 1997, certain industries are legally required to employ a Safety and Health Officer. This includes:

  • any building operation where the total contract price of the project exceeds twenty million ringgit;
  • any work of engineering construction where the total contract price of the project exceeds twenty million ringgit;
  • any ship building employing at peak of the work more than a hundred employees;
  • any gas processing activity or petrochemical industries employing more than a hundred employees;
  • any chemical or allied industry employing more than a hundred employees;
  • any boiler or pressure vessel manufacturing activity employing more than a hundred employees;
  • any metal industry where there is canning or stamping or blanking or shearing or bending operations and employing more than a hundred employees;
  • any wood working industry where there is cutting or sawing or planning or moulding or sanding or peeling or any combination of the above, and employing more than a hundred employees;
  • any cement manufacturing activity employing more than a hundred employees;
  • any other manufacturing activity other than the manufacturing activity specified in subparagraphs (f) to (i), employing more than five hundred employees.

3. Site Safety Supervisor (SSS)

The Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024 requires the appointment of a competent Site Safety Supervisor (SSS) by the principal contractor for every construction project. SSSs assist contractors in implementing safety measures on site and ensuring day-to-day compliance with the regulations.

4. Authorised Entrant and Standby Person (AESP) for Confined Space

Work involving confined spaces must follow the Industry Code of Practice for Safe Working in a Confined Space (2010). All personnel entering confined spaces must be certified as Authorised Entrant and Standby Person (AESP), while supervisors must hold both AESP and Authorised Gas Tester and Entry Supervisor (AGTES) certification.

5. Occupational Health Doctor (OHD)

Under the Regulation on the Use and Standards of Exposure to Chemicals Hazardous to Health 2000 (USECHH), medical surveillance must be conducted by Occupational Health Doctors (OHDs) registered with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and holding valid certification.

These doctors are responsible for conducting medical surveillance for employees exposed, or likely to be exposed, to chemicals hazardous to health. This is to detect early signs of adverse health effects and to prevent occupational illnesses through timely intervention.

In addition to chemical-related surveillance, OHDs are also required for health surveillance in confined space work, as outlined in the Industry Code of Practice for Safe Working in a Confined Space 2010. Their role is to assess whether workers are physically and mentally fit to perform tasks in such high-risk environments. The assessments include routine health checks, fitness-for-work evaluations, and ongoing monitoring where necessary.

6. Occupational Health Nurse (OHN)

Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) work alongside OHDs to support the health and wellbeing of workers. Their role is both preventive and responsive, focusing on case management, health education, and early intervention.

Typical responsibilities of an OHN include:

  • Managing health cases, including treatment, referrals, follow-ups, and providing emergency care for work-related injuries or illnesses;
  • Counselling and crisis intervention, including guidance on occupational illnesses, stress, substance abuse, and mental health;
  • Promoting workplace health, through health education programs that encourage employees to take active responsibility for their wellbeing;
  • Advising on legal and regulatory compliance, particularly in relation to health risk assessments and medical recordkeeping; and
  • Supporting risk management efforts, by collecting and analyzing health-related data to assist in preventing injuries and illnesses at work.

Having an OHN on site is particularly useful in industries where exposure to hazards is frequent, or where ongoing health monitoring is required due to the nature of the work.

What are the Disadvantages of Outsourced HSE Manpower Supply?

While outsourced HSE manpower offers flexibility and operational convenience, it is important to consider several limitations that may affect cost-efficiency, continuity, and integration. Below are some of the commonly encountered disadvantages:

1. Limited Familiarity with Internal Culture and Processes

Outsourced personnel may take time to adjust to the company’s internal systems, work culture, and communication protocols. This adjustment period can affect initial performance, especially in environments that require close alignment with internal teams.

2. Temporary Engagement

Contract-based HSE staff are usually assigned for specific durations. This could lead to inconsistency in safety oversight, particularly for long-term projects or programs requiring continuous monitoring, reporting, and follow-up actions.

3. Onboarding and Adjustment Period

Although experienced, outsourced HSE professionals still require orientation on site-specific hazards, work systems, and reporting channels. Organizations should be prepared to allocate some time and resources to ensure smooth onboarding.

4. Data and Confidentiality Concerns

External personnel may be required to access sensitive documents such as health surveillance reports, safety audits, and compliance records. It is important to enforce strict data protection agreements and confidentiality clauses to safeguard internal information.

5. Variability in Skill and Quality

The quality, competency, and industry exposure of outsourced HSE professionals may vary depending on the provider, region, and urgency of the request. Ensuring the personnel meet required standards and possess up-to-date certifications is crucial.

6. Higher Upfront or Monthly Costs

Engaging HSE manpower through a management company typically involves management and administrative fees added to the personnel’s base rate. This can lead to higher monthly expenditure per manpower compared to direct employment. For this reason, thorough budgeting and forecasting are essential before committing to outsourced arrangements, particularly for longer-term engagements.