DPM launches National Occupational Health and Safety Policy - New Straits Time
New Straits Time Online, 28 February 2019
SEPANG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail launched the National Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Policy here, on Thursday night.
Approved by Cabinet and signed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Jan 15, the new policy is part of the government’s Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2016-2020, which was formulated to revolutionise the way the country’s human resources are protected.
Dr Wan Azizah said the new policy will apply sustainable risk management at all workplaces to ensure a high level of occupational health and safety among employers and employees, while simultaneously boosting their productivity and competitiveness.
“It will no longer be just lip service. (With this new policy, the authorities) will take action against those who flout and disrespect OSH.
“The government, through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP), is serious and committed to enforcing OSH laws.
“The OSH Policy must be respected by both employers and employees. If they don’t, this could lead to the violation of OSH laws, and punitive actions will be taken by the JKKP. (These include) the issuance of notices, impounds, compounds and legal actions across all labour sectors,” Dr Wan Azizah said during her speech at the 2018 National Occupational Safety and Health Excellence Awards here.
She stressed that the implementation of this policy will benefit everyone across all labour sectors.
“Employers who execute the OSH Policy will establish a safe and healthy working culture for their workers. This will protect their workers from any risk of accident and work-related illness.
“And this will improve their productivity and competitiveness,” Dr Wan Azizah added.
According to statistics from JKKP, in 2017, 42,513 people were involved in workplace accidents – 711 of which were fatal. The incidents saw RM3.27 billion in compensation paid to affected parties.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, who also spoke at the event, said the JKKP is in the final stages of amending the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Osha) 1994 to further streamline existing regulations to bring them in line with current requirements.
“It is hoped that the amendment will be approved by Parliament this year, so that effective and strict enforcement can be carried out,” he said.
Also present was Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Mahfuz Omar and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The event saw 28 parties bestowed awards for demonstrating high commitment and performance in the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (OSHMS) at their workplaces.
