DOSH check on safety of govt agency workers

NST: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will audit government departments and agencies to learn what they have done for the health and safety of their employees at the workplace.
Their findings are expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister's Department, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn.
A meeting of all state DOSH directors is scheduled for Jan 23.
DOSH director-general Abu Bakar Che Man said the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1944 must be adhered to by all employers in the public and private sectors.
Heads of government departments and agencies who failed to do so will face disciplinary action.
Samsudin had issued a circular to the secretaries-general of ministries, heads of federal departments, state secretaries and heads of local authorities and government agencies in late 2004, ordering them to pay heed to safety and health regulations as outlined by DOSH.
This circular followed an audit by DOSH and the Prime Minister's Department which revealed minimal compliance with the rules by government departments.
Under Section 30 of the OSHA, it is compulsory for employers with more than 40 workers to set up a safety and health committee. Failure to do so renders them liable to a fine of RM5,000 or six months' jail, or both.
Employers who do not ensure the safety, health and welfare of their workers at the workplace may be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to two years' jail, or both.
Abu Bakar said after the circular, heads of department and agencies and State Government secretaries had been contacting DOSH officers for details on OSHA and its implementation.
"State DOSH directors and officers have conducted meetings and briefings for them and now it's time to see if OSHA has been adhered to."
It is learnt the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) is also closely monitoring OSHA implementation in government departments and agencies.
Abu Bakar said all departments and agencies under the Human Resources Ministry had been audited for OSHA implementation.
"All have complied and some have been directed to rectify their shortcomings."
He said in 2004, a DOSH audit of 91 government departments and agencies was not encouraging.
Last year, a check on more than 100 departments and agencies showed some improvement, but much more needs to be done.
Abu Bakar said this year, DOSH would be auditing more than 150 departments and agencies nationwide.
The main targets are departments and agencies involved in high-risk work such as construction, pesticide-spraying, and the storage and use of hazardous chemicals and products. He gave top marks to the Chemistry Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department for compliance with OSHA.