New Straits Times Online, 25 February 2013
KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) has approved almost RM5 million this year for 22 non-governmental organisations and local universities to carry out research and activities on occupational safety and health for workers.
Its chief executive, K. Selvarajah, said the research was to find ways to enhance safety and health practices at workplaces to ensure workers' safety and provide them with a safe working environment.
Socso also worked with the NGOs to organise activities to enhance public awareness on occupational safety and health, he said after presenting the outcome of the studies here yesterday.
They included a "Study On Commuting Accident" by Universiti Utara Malaysia and on "Occupational Safety and Health" by Universiti Teknologi Mara and the Malaysia Society for Occupational Health and Safety.
The studies were based on statistics gathered by Socso based on information from its subscribers.
Selvarajah said the research was important following the 12.58 per cent increase in commuting accidents, from 22,036 cases in 2010 to 24,809 cases last year.
He said cases of occupational disease also increased by 26.50 per cent, from 1,215 cases in 2010 to 1,537 cases last year. Bernama
