Utilise "Vision Zero" Concept to Ensure a Safer Workplace

Employers must implement the Vision Zero concept in the workplace to prevent workplace accidents while also investing more in improving the work environment for the employees' health, safety, and well-being.

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, said Vision Zero, a global initiative championed by the International Labour Organization, encourages employers to promote a safe working environment.

 

More on Zero Vision concept

According to him, it is a vision to eliminate preventable workplace accidents. However, he believes that many industries in Malaysia have yet to adopt this concept and that some people are unaware of it.

He added that fatalities have occurred at building sites due to crane and scaffolding collapses. These are avoidable mishaps.

He suggested that all employers nationwide aim toward Vision Zero.

Vision Zero's seven golden rules in prevention management include: 

• Identifying hazards, 

• Ensuring a safe and healthy system, and 

• Using safe and healthy machines and equipment.

 

Socso could also promote Vision Zero 

Lee, who is also the former chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, advised that as part of its ongoing Ops Cegah, the Social Security Organisation (Socso) could also add Vision Zero for greater advocacy.

Recently, Socso has launched Ops Cegah, an employer-friendly initiative to raise awareness among businesses and employees about the need to adopt a work culture that avoids workplace accidents.

 

Authorities' role in preventing workplace accidents

According to Lee, the authorities must also ensure that all workplaces with more than 40 employees, whether public or private, establish a safety and health committee, as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1994 (OSHA).

He said the committee should include members from both employees and employers, allowing all parties to discuss and analyse workplace safety issues.

He added that many workplaces, including the public sector, have yet to form the committee and that it is critical that the government take notice.

Lee stated that safety regulations must be applied equally in both areas. Previously, the focus had been on the commercial sector, but the public sector also documented occupational accidents.

He suggested that, as a result, the decision to form the committee must be followed by all sectors.

 

Employers should invest more in workplace safety

Lee also urged firms to set aside bigger funds to invest in workplace safety, which would result in fewer accidents and higher productivity.

He gave an example of ergonomics in which workstations are built to provide employees with a safe working environment.

He explained that the workstation must be built to minimise ergonomic problems relating to physical parts of the body, such as back and neck pains for individuals who sit for long periods of time, as well as eye strains.

He added that all of this necessitates investment. Though some employers may argue that now is not the time to hire because they are recovering from Covid-19, Lee said they are not expected to do it right now, but they should begin working towards it.

Source: New Straits Times