Number of fatalities alarming

NST: The industrial accident rate has dropped but the number of fatalities is still alarming.
More than 80 per cent of fatal accidents occurred in small and medium-sized industries (SMIs).
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn attributed this to the SMIs lackadaisical and "hardcore" attitude in the implementation of safety features for workers.
"They are more concerned with making profits rather than looking into workers’ safety. They feel that implementing safety features is an extra financial burden," he told the New Straits Times.
"There were a number of serious and fatal industrial cases reported this year, especially in SMIs," he said.
He has directed the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to come down hard on those who do not adhere to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulations.
He cited a recent incident at a SMI in Puchong where both hands of a worker were crushed inside a die-cutting machine resulting in the woman bleeding to death.
"DOSH’s initial investigation revealed that there were no safety features put in place to protect workers operating the machine and neither was the deceased wearing protective gear," Fong said.
The work site has been ordered to close pending further investigation and a detailed report from the company.
Between 2000 and last year, industrial accidents resulted in 54,207 workers suffering permanent disability.
"These industrial accidents can be averted if only industries complied with the OSH regulation," he said.
He said DOSH and Socso were already on the ground visiting the more than 50,000 registered SMIs to create awareness on the importance of them adhering to the OSH Act and regulations.
"SMIs play a vital role in economic development and their workers are major players in the economy. It’s the responsibility of employers to ensure a safe and healthy work environment," said Fong.