THE National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) wishes to propose to the Finance Ministry to seriously consider proposals for helping industries and employers to promote occupational safety and health at the workplace in order to further reduce accidents at workplaces.

This could be done through granting a tax rebate for imported Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Budget 2015 to make them more affordable to employers and made available for use by their employees.

Presently imported PPE like full body harness, earmuff, earplug, N95 face mask and eye wear are subjected to 5% to 20% import duty besides the 10% sales tax.

Any tax rebate for good quality PPE which are not available locally will be an incentive which the Government can provide to encourage the greater use of PPE to promote safety and health at the workplace.

 

PPE are designed to protect workers from workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

PPE include a variety of devices and garments such as goggles, overalls, gloves, vests, earplugs, respirators and safety shoes.

Using PPE is often essential and is generally the last line of defence after engineering and administrative controls have failed to reduce exposures of the employees.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 requires the use of PPE to reduce employees’ exposure to hazards at the workplace.

However, employers are complaining of the high price of imported PPE which are unaffordable to the users. Hence, many resort to other alternatives such as buying cheaper products with lower quality which are not advisable for use as they can expose employees to occupational injuries and diseases.

There are certain criteria and standards that PPE manufacturers or suppliers have to adhere to before marketing their products to the consumers.

They have to follow the guidelines from Department of Occupational Safety and Health or at least meet the Sirim requirement to ensure the quality of such products.

It is also important to train the employees on the proper use of PPE.

The Government should also provide incentives to local manufacturers to produce good quality PPE.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Chairman

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health