According to Section 29(3) of OSHA 1994, a Safety and Health Officer (SHO) must be employed solely to ensure compliance at the workplace and promote safe work practices. Section 29(4) states that an SHO must have the qualifications or training as determined by the Minister from time to time via Gazette notification.

The Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Officer) Regulations 1997, enforced since 22 August 1997, require employers in specified industries to employ SHO for managing workplace safety and health. Regulation 18 outlines the duties of SHO.

Under Regulation 4, no one may act as an SHO unless registered with the Director General of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).