CHAPTER

3
SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
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Maimunah Aminuddin (Chapter 7)

HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008

7 1

PREVIEW

The provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act which affect employers.
The importance of encouraging safe work practices and healthy lifestyles amongst employees. Reducing incidences of sexual harassment at work. The need for a planned programme to reduce violence at the workplace.

Programmes and activities which can improve the health and wellness of employees.
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THE HEAVY COST OF ACCIDENTS

Medical Wages

bills to equipment and materials work replacement costs, in case of fatal

of workers on medical leave

Damage

Overtime

Employee

accident

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THE HEAVY COST OF ACCIDENTS (cont.)

Time

cost of supervisors, management and colleagues

morale of employees public image

Lowered Poor

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CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

Technical causes Human causes Environmental causes

Cause of Accidents, 2004
Cause Percentage Struck by object 32 Falls 27 Caught in object 13 Struck by falling object 12

Cause

Percentage

Exposed to extreme heat, electricity or other dangerous substance, including radiation

Slips
Others

2
12

Source: SOCSO
HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008

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CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS (cont.)

Employees problems lead to accidents:
Faulty

attitudes

Nervousness Faulty Worry

and fear

Impulsiveness

Low

attention span
and drug

judgement of speed and distance and depression

Irresponsibility Drinking

Fatigue

abuse
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EMPLOYEE HEALTH ISSUES

Common health hazards at work include:
Use

of organic chemicals and toxic substances Fumes, dust and smoke Radiation Infection Noise and vibration levels Extreme temperatures
HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008 All Rights Reserved

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WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK?

Everyone is responsible for safety and health at work, especially:
The

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Employers Employees
HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008 All Rights Reserved

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THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT (OSHA)

To ensure the safety and health of persons at work, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1994, lays down a number of requirements which must be complied with by employers and employees.

HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008

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SAFETY POLICIES
All employers with more than five employees are required under OSHA to:
Draft

a SAFETY POLICY
it to employees

Communicate Revise

it as necessary

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7 10

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY OFFICER

Employers in designated industries are required under OSHA to employ a qualified safety officer.

HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008

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APPOINTMENT OF A QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICER (cont.)

Appointment compulsory in high-risk industries:
Building Ship Gas

and engineering construction

building (with more than 100 workers) and petroleum (with more than 100 workers)

Chemical
Metal

industry (with more than 100 workers)

industry (with more than 100 workers)

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APPOINTMENT OF QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICER (cont.)

Wood

working industry (with more than 100 workers)

industry (with more than 100 workers)

Cement Other

manufacturing industries

(with more than 500 workers)

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QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICER (cont.)

A qualified safety officer is one who is registered with DOSH. To be eligible for registration, the applicant must have:
A A

recognized diploma in OSH, or minimum of 10 years experience in OSH, or

Have

completed a training programme in OSH recognized by the Ministry of Human Resources.

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7 14

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY COMMITTEE

OSHA requires all employers with 40 or more employees to appoint a SAFETY COMMITTEE. The committee must meet at least once in 3 months. Minutes must be kept. The committee members must be provided with safety training by their employer.
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SAFETY COMMITTEE (cont.)

The functions of the committee include:
Establishing

policies on safety and health matters, including the setting of rules and regulations. an inspection of the workplace, at least once in 3 months. records on accidents and health problems.

Conduct

Analysing

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SAFETY COMMITTEE (cont.)

Investigating

accidents and unsafe conditions and making recommendations to prevent similar occurrences.
and executing safety and health awareness programmes. the purchase of suitable safety equipment, where relevant.

Planning

Recommending

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REPORTING ACCIDENTS
Accidents have to be reported to the relevant authorities: When a Malaysian worker is involved in an accident, or occupational disease, his employer must report to SOCSO and DOSH. When a foreign worker is involved in an accident, or occupational disease, his employer must report to the Labour Department and the relevant insurance company.
HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008 All Rights Reserved

7 18

REVIEW

The provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act which affect employers. The importance of encouraging safe work practices and healthy lifestyles amongst employees.

Reducing incidences of sexual harassment at work.

The need for a planned programme to reduce violence at the workplace. Programmes and activities which can improve the health and wellness of employees.
All Rights Reserved

HRM Principles & Practices Oxford University Press Malaysia, 2008

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