Safety panel must for work places with 40 or more

Daily Express: Kota Kinabalu: Any workplace with 40 or more employees must establish a Safety and Health Committee under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Act) 1994.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who disclosed this, said this is provided for under Section 15(2)(a) of OSH.
"The provision requires employers the 'provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far is practicable, safe and without risks to health'.
"This clearly places the burden of responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment on the employer. They are also legally bound to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the safety and health of employees," Lee said.
He said this at the launching of the Niosh Sabah Regional Office here and opening of a seminar on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for Media Personnel, here, Monday.
The seminar was aimed at assisting media personnel on recognising and controlling some general safety concerns associated with the media industry.
In general, it sought to enhance awareness on safe and healthy working conditions among media members ranging from journalists, photographers, editors and graphic designers to workers who are involved in the printing and distribution process.
Also present were Niosh Malaysia Executive Director, Ir Amir Haji Yahya, Niosh Sabah Branch Manager, Azman Sah Sabali, and Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Sabah Branch Director, Ir. Mohd Anuar bin Embi.
Under the Act, Lee said, any employer who fails to abide by the provision is liable to pay a fine of up to RM5,000 or six months' jail, or both, upon conviction.
"Employees should give their full cooperation to management for their joint formulation of safety and health committees. In this way, both parties can fulfil their mutual obligation to provide safe and healthier workplaces," he said.
He said OSH management is needed for all workplace environments in respect of all industries to ensure high standards of safety and health at work.
"Industries and employers must realise that four fundamental factors justify OSH management and these are corporate responsibility, social and moral obligation, good business sense and legal obligation.
"Effective OSH management not only reduces the risk to safety and health but also ensures high returns to the companies and increased productivity," he said.
In this respect, Lee said employers must be prepared to invest in occupational and safety while employees must practise it at the workplaces.
In addition, he said companies must allocate a yearly budget for safety training to help prevent work-related accidents.