Alternative inspection scheme for heavy industry operators
The Star Online, 3 June 2014
KUANTAN: Heavy industry operators can opt for a risk-based inspection of their machinery under a special scheme that began on June 1, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib.
He said the Factories and Machinery (Special Scheme Inspection) (Risk-Based Inspection) Regulation 2014 would allow industry operators themselves to assess the integrity of its machinery and whether they are fit for service.
“Statutory inspection by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will only be held when the industry operator has identified and classed the risk factor, as well as calculate the remnant life of their machinery and prepared an inspection plan,” Ismail said at the launch of the scheme here recently.
He said this meant that the inspection interval of machinery would be lengthened by months or years compared to the statutory inspection interval of 15 months.
“This will result in savings in the long run. We have received feedback that statutory inspections are too frequent and will result in losses amounting to millions of ringgit because the factory has to be shut down for days.
“The new scheme is an initiative by the ministry and DOSH to accommodate industry operators,” said Ismail.
He said the new scheme was an option and industry operators could still choose to implement the old regulation of time-based inspection.
Ismail said spot checks should also be conducted to ensure industry operators do not take the scheme for granted.
DOSH director-general Datuk Dr Johari Basri said the scheme could reduce the department’s 250,000 annual inspections by 10%.
“However, risk has to be controlled. If there are any complaints, we will inspect and investigate immediately,” he said.
He added that industries that wished to opt for the scheme would still have to qualify in terms of track record and staff on hand.
Dr Johari also said the department was focusing on industries with high-impact production such as the oil and gas and power sector as they stood to benefit a lot under the scheme.
