Special Scheme of Inspection Regulations 2025
Key Information
Regulations to make further provisions regarding the special scheme of inspection for steam boilers, pressure vessels, lifting equipment installed at the workplace and for matters connected therewith.
Source: AGC - P.U. (A) 25
PART I – PRELIMINARY
Regulation 1. Citation
These regulations may be cited as the Occupational Safety and Health (Special Scheme of Inspection) Regulations 2025.
Regulation 2. Interpretation
“pressure vessel” has the meaning assigned to it in the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024 [P.U. (A) 99/2024];
“steam boiler” has the meaning assigned to it in the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024;
“risk-based data” means—
(a)
in relation to steam boiler and pressure vessel, information on the details of its design and operation, including the composition of process fluid, properties of process fluid, operating temperature and pressure, building material, design specification, current thickness, type of damage mechanism that may affect the function of the steam boiler and pressure vessel, inspection and maintenance;
(b)
in relation to lifting machinery, information on the details of its design and operation, including building material, design specification, type of damage mechanism that may affect the function of the lifting machinery, inspection and maintenance;
“lifting machinery” has the meaning assigned to it in the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024;
“plant requiring certificate of fitness” has the meaning assigned to it in the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024;
“qualified person” means a trained person who has the knowledge, skills and experience in the relevant field to perform any task or service required under these Regulations;
“periodical inspection” means an inspection carried out in accordance with regulation 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024;
“internal inspection” means an inspection carried out on the interior of a steam boiler and pressure vessel using whether a visual technique, non-destructive testing or both;
“external inspection” means a visual inspection carried out on the exterior of a plant requiring certificate of fitness to assess conditions that may affect the integrity of the plant requiring certificate of fitness and its support structure, including the safety equipment of the plant requiring certificate of fitness;
“inspection during operation” means an inspection on the exterior of a steam boiler or pressure vessel which is in operation and the inspection is carried out using appropriate non-destructive testing methods to detect defects in the steam boiler or pressure vessel based on the damage mechanism;
“risk-based analysis” means an internal inspection and external inspection, including a non-destructive test carried out by an occupier on a plant requiring certificate of fitness whose inspection intervals are determined based on the risks associated with the plant requiring certificate of fitness.
PART II – SPECIAL SCHEME OF INSPECTION
Regulation 3. Application for special scheme of inspection
Any occupier may apply to the Director General for approval for a special scheme of inspection—
(a)
for a steam boiler and a pressure vessel which shall be known as special scheme of inspection of class A; or
(b)
for all plants requiring certificate of fitness which shall be known as special scheme of inspection of class B,
at least six months before the expiry of the certificate of fitness of his plant requiring certificate of fitness together with the payment of fees as specified in the First Schedule.
Regulation 4. Requirements for special scheme of inspection of class A
Any occupier who applies for approval for a special scheme of inspection of class A shall fulfil the requirements in respect of a steam boiler and a pressure vessel as follows:
(a)
the occupier shall establish, implement and maintain an occupational safety and health management system as agreed by the Director General;
(b)
the occupier shall list one or more steam boilers and pressure vessels at a place of work and ensure that the steam boiler and pressure vessel are in satisfactory working condition and safe for use;
(c)
the occupier shall ensure that each of the steam boilers and pressure vessels has a valid certificate of fitness;
(d)
the occupier shall submit to the Director General—
(i)
the risk-based data for the steam boiler and pressure vessel which is calculated and assessed in accordance with the methodology as determined by the Director General; and
(ii)
the information on the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel which is collected in accordance with any of the following methods:
(A)
an inspection under section 27D of the Act and two periodical inspections of the steam boiler and pressure vessel;
(B)
three periodical inspections of the steam boiler and pressure vessel;
(C)
the measurement of the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel shall be done not less than three times while the steam boiler and pressure vessel are in operation at intervals of not less than twelve months after each measurement; or
(D)
the measurement of the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel shall be done not less than three times while the steam boiler and pressure vessel are not in operation at intervals of not less than twelve months after each measurement;
(e)
the measurement of the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel under subparagraph (d)(ii) shall be done in accordance with the method approved by the Director General unless the measurement is done using a method that is generally accepted;
(f)
the occupier shall submit to the Director General the information on remnant life, risk category, inspection interval and inspection plan for the steam boiler and pressure vessel obtained through the calculation and assessment of data and information collected in accordance with paragraph (d);
(g)
the occupier shall have one or more risk-based teams as determined by the Director General consisting of at least five members as follows:
(i)
a qualified person with an engineering degree as the team leader to perform all tasks relating to the inspection of the integrity of the steam boilers and pressure vessels;
(ii)
a qualified person with knowledge and expertise in corrosion engineering;
(iii)
a qualified person from the process department or production department;
(iv)
a qualified person from the inspection department or engineering department;
(v)
a safety and health officer registered under the Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Officer) Regulations 1997 [P.U. (A) 315/1997] or the person responsible for occupational safety and health if the place of work does not require such registered safety and health officer;
(h)
the occupier shall submit the documents as specified in the Second Schedule.
Regulation 5. Requirements for special scheme of inspection of class B
Any occupier who applies for approval for a special scheme of inspection of class B shall fulfil the requirements in respect of the plant requiring certificate of fitness as follows:
(a)
the occupier shall establish, implement and maintain a plant management system operated by a plant management team in accordance with the industry codes of practice as approved by the Minister;
(b)
the occupier shall list all plants requiring certificate of fitness installed at a place of work in accordance with the following categories:
(i)
a plant requiring certificate of fitness which has been installed for a period of thirty-six months or more from the date of application; and
(ii)
a plant requiring certificate of fitness which has been installed for a period of not more than thirty-six months from the date of application, if any;
(c)
the occupier shall ensure that the plant requiring the certificate of fitness is in a satisfactory working condition and safe for use;
(d)
the occupier shall ensure that all plants requiring certificate of fitness have a valid certificate of fitness;
(e)
the occupier shall submit to the Director General—
(i)
the risk-based data for the steam boiler and pressure vessel which is calculated and assessed in accordance with the methodology as determined by the Director General; and
(ii)
the information on the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel which is collected in accordance with any of the following methods:
(A)
an inspection under section 27D of the Act and two periodical inspections of steam boiler and pressure vessel;
(B)
three periodical inspections of the steam boiler and pressure vessel;
(C)
the measurement of the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel shall be done not less than three times while the steam boiler and pressure vessel are in operation at intervals of not less than twelve months after each measurement; or
(D)
the measurement of the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel shall be done not less than three times while the steam boiler and pressure vessel are not in operation at intervals of not less than twelve months after each measurement;
(f)
the measurement of the thickness of the steam boiler and pressure vessel under paragraph (e)(ii) shall be done in accordance with the method approved by the Director General unless the measurement is done using a method that is generally accepted;
(g)
if the plant requiring certificate of fitness is a steam boiler and a pressure vessel, the occupier shall submit to the Director General the information on the remnant life, risk category, inspection interval and inspection plan for the steam boiler and pressure vessel obtained through the calculation and assessment of data and information collected in accordance with paragraph (e);
(h)
if the plant requiring certificate of fitness is lifting machinery, the occupier shall submit to the Director General the information on the risk category, inspection interval and inspection plan for the lifting machinery;
(i)
the occupier shall ensure that there is no fatality, serious bodily injury, disease, occupational poisoning or dangerous occurrence resulting from the installation, repair, opening, operation and maintenance activities of the plant requiring certificate of fitness within two years before the date of application;
(j)
the occupier shall ensure that no incident that can affect the integrity of the plant requiring certificate of fitness occurs within two years before the date of application;
(k)
the occupier shall have one or more risk-based teams as determined by the Director General consisting of at least five members as follows:
(i)
a qualified person with an engineering degree as the team leader to perform all tasks relating to the inspection of the integrity of the plant requiring certificate of fitness;
(ii)
a qualified person with knowledge and expertise in corrosion engineering;
(iii)
a qualified person from the process department or production department;
(iv)
a qualified person from the inspection department or engineering department; and
(v)
a safety and health officer registered under the Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Officer) Regulations 1997 [P.U. (A) 315/1997] or the person responsible for occupational safety and health if the place of work does not require such registered safety and health officer;
(l)
the occupier shall submit the documents as specified in the Second Schedule.
Regulation 6. Additional information or documents
(1)
The Director General may, by notice in writing at any time after an application for special scheme of inspection is received, require the occupier to provide any additional information or document to the Director General within the period as specified in the notice or any extended period granted by the Director General.
(2)
If the additional information or document required under subregulation (1) is not provided by the occupier within the period as specified in the notice or any extended period granted by the Director General, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn without prejudice to the right of the occupier to make a fresh application.
Regulation 7. Approval for special scheme of inspection
(1)
The Director General may approve the application for a special scheme of inspection as either special scheme of inspection of class A or special scheme of inspection of class B under regulation 3 if the Director General is satisfied that the requirements under regulation 4 or 5, as the case may be, have been fulfilled.
(2)
Subject to subregulation (1), the Director General may issue a certificate of approval for special scheme of inspection of class A or special scheme of inspection of class B to the occupier which shall contain the particulars as specified in the Third Schedule.
(3)
An occupier whose special scheme of inspection is approved by the Director General may only hold one class of special scheme of inspection at any one time.
(4)
An occupier who has obtained approval for special scheme of inspection of class B by the Director General shall not hold approval for any other special scheme of inspection of class B at the same time and any existing special scheme of inspection of class A obtained by the occupier is revoked.
Regulation 8. Duration of special scheme of inspection
(1)
A special scheme of inspection of class A shall be valid for a period of one hundred and twenty months from the date of approval of the application for the special scheme of inspection unless revoked or terminated earlier.
(2)
A special scheme of inspection of class B shall be valid for a period of one hundred and eighty months from the date of approval of the application for the special scheme of inspection unless revoked or terminated earlier.
Regulation 9. Validity of certificate of fitness for plant requiring certificate of fitness under special scheme of inspection
The validity of a certificate of fitness for a plant requiring certificate of fitness under a special scheme of inspection shall not exceed sixty months as determined by the officer based on the outcome of calculation and assessment of risk-based data submitted by the occupier.
PART III - DUTIES OF OCCUPIER
Regulation 10. Duties of occupier under special scheme of inspection of class A
An occupier with approval for a special scheme of inspection of class A shall—
(a)
ensure that no fatality, serious bodily injury, poisoning, disease or dangerous occurrence happens as a result of the installation or use of the plant requiring certificate of fitness;
(b)
ensure that risk-based data is collected by a risk-based team at intervals not exceeding twelve months after each collection of data;
(c)
keep and maintain risk-based data submitted by the risk-based team;
(d)
determine the remnant life, risk category, inspection interval and inspection plan for the steam boiler and pressure vessel based on the calculation and assessment of risk-based data;
(e)
maintain and apply the methodology for the calculation and assessment of risk-based data under subparagraph 4(d)(i);
(f)
notify the Director General in writing on any change of leader of risk-based team within thirty days from the date of the change;
(g)
maintain the occupational safety and health management system under paragraph 4(a);
(h)
keep and maintain a record of the usage and maintenance of the steam boiler and pressure vessel;
(i)
ensure verification inspection is performed;
(j)
ensure that every member of the risk-based inspection team is always competent.
Regulation 11. Duties of occupier under special scheme of inspection of class B
An occupier with approval for a special scheme of inspection of class B shall—
(a)
ensure that no fatality, serious bodily injury, poisoning, disease or dangerous occurrence happens as a result of the installation or use of the plant requiring certificate of fitness;
(b)
ensure that risk-based data is collected by a risk-based team at intervals not exceeding twelve months after each collection of data;
(c)
keep and maintain risk-based data submitted by the risk-based team;
(d)
determine the remnant life, risk category, inspection interval and inspection plan for the steam boiler and pressure vessel based on the calculation and assessment of risk-based data;
(e)
maintain and apply the methodology for the calculation and assessment of risk-based data under subparagraph 5(e)(i);
(f)
notify the Director General in writing on any change of leader of risk-based team within thirty days from the date of the change;
(g)
ensure verification inspection is performed;
(h)
maintain the plant management system referred to in paragraph 5(a);
(i)
conduct risk-based analysis;
(j)
ensure that every member of the risk-based inspection team is always competent.
PART IV - SPECIAL INSPECTION
Regulation 12. Special inspection for plant requiring certificate of fitness
(1)
An occupier shall apply to the officer for a special inspection for a plant requiring certificate of fitness together with the payment of fee as specified in the First Schedule.
(2)
The occupier shall ensure the plant requiring certificate of fitness is available for the special inspection.
(3)
A special inspection shall be conducted in the following manner—
(a)
for the first special inspection after approval of a special scheme of inspection, the plant requiring certificate of fitness shall be prepared for both internal inspection and external inspection;
(b)
for subsequent special inspections—
(i)
the steam boiler and pressure vessel under a special scheme of inspection of class A shall be prepared for both internal inspection and external inspection;
(ii)
the plant requiring certificate of fitness under a special scheme of inspection of class B shall be prepared for an inspection during operation and an external inspection.
(4)
In the event that the occupier finds that an internal inspection is not suitable to be carried out, the occupier shall apply to the Director General for an inspection during operation.
(5)
The Director General may approve or reject the application of the occupier under subregulation (4).
(6)
If the Director General rejects the application of the occupier under subregulation (5), an internal inspection shall be carried out on the plant requiring certificate of fitness.
Regulation 13. Addition, reduction and change of information to list of plant requiring certificate of fitness under special scheme of inspection
If there is any addition, reduction or change of information to the list of plant requiring certificate of fitness under an approved special scheme of inspection of class B, the occupier shall submit an application to amend the list of plant requiring certificate of fitness of the approved special scheme of inspection for a period of not more than forty-eight months from the date of the addition, reduction or change of information together with the payment of fee as specified in the First Schedule.
Regulation 14. Verification inspection
(1)
An occupier who is granted approval for a special scheme of inspection shall be subject to a verification inspection.
(2)
An occupier who obtains a special scheme of inspection of class A shall apply for a verification inspection within six months after a special inspection is conducted together with the payment of fee as specified in the First Schedule.
(3)
An occupier who obtains a special scheme of inspection of class B shall apply for a verification inspection within a period of not more than six months before a special inspection is conducted together with the payment of fee as specified in the First Schedule.
PART V - REVOCATION AND TERMINATION OF SPECIAL SCHEME OF INSPECTION
Regulation 15. Revocation of special scheme of inspection
The Director General may revoke any approved special scheme of inspection if the occupier provides any document or information required under any provision of these Regulations that is false, misleading or contains material errors or omissions.
Regulation 16. Termination of special scheme of inspection
The Director General may terminate any approved special scheme of inspection if—
(b)
there is change of occupier for plant requiring certificate of fitness under special scheme of inspection;
(c)
the certificate of fitness for plant requiring certificate of fitness under the special scheme of inspection is terminated under subsection 27D(8).
Regulation 17. Voluntary termination of special scheme of inspection
(1)
The occupier shall notify the Director General in writing for the purpose of voluntary termination of any special scheme of inspection that has been approved for any or all plants requiring certificate of fitness.
(2)
A certificate of fitness for plant requiring certificate of fitness under any special scheme of inspection shall be revoked either on the expiry date of the certificate of fitness of the plant requiring certificate of fitness or on the last day of the sixth month after the date of voluntary termination of the special scheme of inspection, whichever is earlier.
PART VI - GENERAL
Regulation 18. Changes in relation to plant requiring certificate of fitness under special scheme of inspection
(1)
The occupier shall notify the Director General in writing within thirty days of any changes of the following:
(a)
the sale, lease or transfer of ownership of any plant requiring certificate of fitness under a special scheme of inspection to any person;
(b)
the safe working pressure in respect of steam boiler and pressure vessel or safe working load in respect of lifting machinery under special scheme of inspection.
(2)
If any plant requiring certificate of fitness under any special scheme of inspection is sold, leased or the ownership is transferred on a permanent or temporary basis by an occupier who has obtained approval for a special scheme of inspection to any person, the plant requiring certificate of fitness shall be deemed to have been withdrawn from the special scheme of inspection.
Regulation 19. Non-refundable fee
Any fee paid under these Regulations shall not be refundable.
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE [Regulations 3 and 13 and subregulations 12(1), 14(2) and 14(3)] – FEES
SECOND SCHEDULE [Paragraphs 4(h) and 5(l)] – COMPLIANCE DECLARATION DOCUMENTS
1.
List of plant requiring certificate of fitness
2.
Remaining life of plant requiring certificate of fitness
3.
Risk categories for steam boiler, pressure vessel and lifting machinery
4.
Confirmation that plant requiring certificate of fitness is in satisfactory working condition or suitable for use
THIRD SCHEDULE [Subregulation 7(2)] – DETAILS OF CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL OF SPECIAL SCHEME OF INSPECTION
1.
Type of the approved special scheme of inspection
2.
Number of approved special scheme of inspection
3.
Name of the special scheme of inspection holder
4.
Address of the special scheme of inspection holder
5.
Place of operation plant requiring certificate of fitness under the special scheme of inspection
6.
List of plant requiring approved certificate of fitness under the special scheme of inspection
7.
Duration of special scheme of inspection
8.
Approval date of the special scheme of inspection