Safety & PMA
PMA and DOSH Compliance for Boom Lifts and Scissor Lifts in Malaysia: 2026 Guide
By Jonah Tan, Equipment Specialist · · 4 min read
On most Malaysian sites, the safety officer will ask to see the machine’s PMA before a boom lift, scissor lift or any other aerial work platform is allowed to work. The law behind it changed in 2024, which has caused some confusion. Here’s what contractors in Johor, KL & Selangor need to know about the PMA for aerial work platforms in Malaysia, and what to check before the first lift.
Note: this is a practical guide, not legal advice. Requirements can change and vary by site and machine type. Always confirm with your safety officer and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH / JKKP).
What is a PMA for aerial work platforms in Malaysia?
PMA stands for Perakuan Mesin Angkat, the certificate of fitness for lifting machinery. It shows the machine has been inspected and found fit for use. Contractors and main contractors normally ask to see a valid PMA before any lifting machine, including boom lifts and scissor lifts, is allowed on site.
What changed in 2024
For decades, certificates of fitness were issued under the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 (FMA). That Act was repealed by the Factories and Machinery (Repeal) Act 2022 (Act 835), which came into force on 1 June 2024, together with amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA).
- Certificates of fitness for lifting machinery now come under OSHA 1994 and its new regulations on plant that requires a certificate of fitness.
- Existing certificates and approvals issued under the old Act were carried over, so a valid certificate did not simply lapse because the law changed.
- On site, most people still call it a “PMA”, so you will keep hearing the term.
How long is a certificate of fitness valid?
Lifting machinery certificates are renewed on a regular inspection cycle, commonly every 15 months. Always check the expiry date printed on the certificate and make sure it covers your whole rental or project period.
Who is responsible for what
| Party | Typical responsibility |
|---|---|
| Machine owner (rental company) | Keeps the certificate of fitness valid, services and maintains the machine, supplies the manual and load chart |
| Contractor / employer | Plans the work, uses competent operators, provides fall protection and a rescue plan, checks the site |
| Main contractor / safety officer | Checks documents before the machine enters site and enforces site rules |
| Operator | Does the pre-use check, follows the load chart and stops work if anything is unsafe |
Documents to ask your rental company for
- A copy of the valid certificate of fitness (PMA) for the exact machine delivered; check the serial number matches
- The expiry date, covering your rental period
- The latest service or inspection record
- The operator’s manual and load chart, kept with the machine
Site checks before the first lift
- Ground: firm and level enough for the machine, with no hidden voids, drains or soft fill. Use mats on soft ground.
- Overhead hazards: power lines, beams, sprinklers and cable trays. Keep a safe distance from live cables.
- Exclusion zone: barricade the area below and around the machine.
- Weather: no work at height in strong wind or lightning.
- Platform load: people, tools and materials within the rated capacity.
- Fall protection: on boom lifts, operators should wear a full-body harness clipped to the platform anchor point.
- Rescue plan: someone on the ground who knows the ground controls and emergency lowering.
Operator competency
Only trained, competent operators should use aerial work platforms. Many sites, especially data centres and large construction projects in Sedenak, Kulai and Pasir Gudang, ask for proof of training before the operator can work. Check your site’s requirements before the machine arrives. A&G offers operator training on site or at our yard in Iskandar Puteri.
Daily pre-use check
Before each shift the operator should walk around the machine and test it: guardrails and gate, emergency stop, controls, tyres, leaks, alarms and battery or fuel. Our scissor lift pre-use inspection checklist covers the main points.
How A&G handles PMA
Every A&G Equipment boom lift and scissor lift comes with a valid certificate of fitness and is serviced before delivery. Ask for the PMA copy when you book and we’ll send it ahead so your safety officer can approve the machine before it reaches site. See our boom lift rental in Johor and scissor lift rental in Johor ranges, with delivery to Johor, KL & Selangor.
Ask for the PMA copy when you book any of our machines, such as the Dingli 12m Electric Scissor Lift or the Dingli 18m Electric Articulated Boom Lift.
