Targeting zero accidents
Wednesday, 5 Apr 2017 - ALL PARTIES should find ways to help reduce the number of industrial accidents by setting the goal to achieve zero cases at their workplaces.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the target can be achieved with strong commitment and support from all employers and workers.
He said the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) statistics show that the number of industrial accidents had dropped from 35,898 cases in 2013 to 35,294 in 2014 and 34,258 in 2015.
He also urged employers to help reduce the number of commuting accidents – incidents involving workers on the way to or from their workplaces. Such cases had increased from 27,659 cases in 2013, to 28,037 in 2014, and 28,579 in 2015.
As a result employees, employers, and enforcement authorities must always be prepared to face new threats that can affect the the safety and health of workers.
He cited the example of thechlorine gas leaks that occurred at a chemical production facility in Menglembu, last September and accidents that could cause serious injuries or death in the mining, quarrying and timber industries, as examples of the hazards workers face.
“Dangerous work environments can result in a higher number of accidents and become the main factor for work-related health problems.
“Employers must ensure that all their workers are well trained and the workplace is also safe. We should set our target to have accident-free workplaces nationwide,” he said after the opening of NIOSH’s satellite office in Bandar Seri Manjung last week.
He said the problem of work place safety can be addressed effectively through proper training and good occupational safety and health (OSH) practices.
However, he said a gloomier global economy might affect work safety as many employers may be inclined to cut cost for training while workers are concerned about losing their jobs.
Lee said Sri Manjung was chosen for NIOSH’s new office as it is strategically located and well connected to other districts through the road network.
At the same time, he said Lumut Port is also located in the district and the seaport is also linked to the Klang by a good road network.
Lee said the growth in Perak’s coastal areas will increase when another mega infrastructure project, the 233-km West Coast Expressway project from Banting to Taiping, is completed in 2019.
At present, he said Manjung is experiencing rapid development and therefore, requires more safety training.
Among some of the major projects that have changed Manjung’s landscape are TNB Janamanjung power station, Lumut Port Industrial Park, Petronas oil terminal, Lekir Permanent Food Production Park and Vale Malaysia Mineral Sdn Bhd’s iron ore plant.
“These projects have also spurred growth in other sectors with the construction of hotels, shopping malls, private hospitals and institutions of higher learning, apart from creating more job opportunities,” he said.
He said Manjung’s landscape has also changed in tandem with the development of Lumut as a maritime and tourism Town.
“Manjung also enjoys the spillover effects from the tourism industry in Lumut, which also houses the biggest Royal Malaysian Navy base,” he said.
Lee said NIOSH decided to open its satellite office in Manjung as the demand for safety courses has increased in Perak, particularly in Manjung.
He revealed that between 2013 and 2015 NIOSH organised 332 safety courses for 7,585 people in Perak.
“Previously, all the courses were handled by our northern regional office and headquarters in Bandar Baru Bangi. The management has agreed to open the new office to cater for the increasing demand,” he said.
With the new facility, he said NIOSH aims to train at least 3,000 participants in various occupational safety courses in Perak starting from this year.
He said among the most popular courses are Confined Space Training, Safety Passport and Competency Programme.
“Occupational safety must be given priority to help support the rapid growth in Manjung and along the coastal areas in Perak,” he said.
