Workplace Accidents in 2019 Increased 13% From 2018

Malaysia's occupational safety and health (OSH) performance shows that the rate of workplace accidents was recorded at 2.71 per 1,000 employees in 2019. Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said that this is an increase of 13% compared to 2018, which recorded 2.40 per 1,000 employees.

However, the rate of fatal accidents at workplace recorded a decrease of 8% in 2019. The minister said the statistic was equivalent to 3.83 per 100,00 employees compared to 4.14 per 100,000 employees recorded in 2018.

He added that fatal accidents involving workers in the construction sector decreased by 16% (11.28 per 100,000 workers) compared to 13.44 per 100,000 workers in 2018.

According to Saravanan, the decrease in the fatal accident rate shows that employers and employees are starting to be aware of the importance of ensuring a safe and healthy workplace.

Though workplace accidents rate has increased, workplace accidents fatality rate dropped.

The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) said the fatal accidents involve sectors such as:

manufacturing,
mining,
agriculture,
forestry,
fisheries,
utilities (gas, water, electricity and sanitation),
transportation,
storage,
communications; and
construction.

Towards a safer workplace

Therefore, the effort to make the Guidelines of Occupational Safety and Health in Construction Industry 2017 or OSHCIM developed by DOSH as mandatory was in the final stage of discussion with the Attorney General's chambers.

OSHCIM provides practical guidance to the client, designer and contractor on the management of safety, health and welfare when executing construction projects.

Saravanan explained that a total of 10 pilot projects had been recognised as OSHCIM Pilot Projects, which involves three government projects under the Public Works Department (JKR) and seven private projects.

He added that DOSH had conducted 301,653 inspections on workplaces and machinery in 2019. According to him, a total of 26,980 notices were issued, in which 1,481 cases were handed compound fines and 421 cases were charged in court. The minister said the total penalties for the period were RM8.05 million.

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Source: Malay Mail