Kota kinabalu: Safety standards at worksites need to be enhanced in line with amendments made to related legislation, said National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Chairman Chong Chieng Jen. He emphasized the importance of updated safety protocols following a tragic incident at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) where a worker lost his life due to a soil collapse.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022, which took effect on June 1 last year, has broadened the protective measures for workers, mandating employers to conduct systematic risk assessments. Chong highlighted that Section 18B of the Act requires every employer, principal, developer, or contractor to perform a risk assessment before any work commences, identifying workplace hazards, evaluating risks, and establishing preventive measures.
Chong commented on the incident at UMS, which occurred on September 6, where a 22-year-old worker was buried nearly three meters deep while performing pipe-laying work. Despite rescue efforts by the fire department, police, and medical officers, the worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
He also noted that Section 29A of the Act stipulates that workplaces with five or more employees must have a trained Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Coordinator. This role is crucial in identifying hazards, ensuring procedural compliance, and fostering a safe work environment. Moreover, NIOSH underscores the significance of adhering to the Occupational Safety and Health (Construction Work) (Design and Management) Regulations 2024, which will be enforced starting June 1, 2024, promoting a proactive safety approach throughout the project lifecycle.
Chong elaborated on NIOSH's commitment to assisting industries, contractors, and educational institutions in tackling occupational safety and health issues. Through various training modules and consultancy services, NIOSH aims to improve legal compliance and enhance OSH aspects, especially at construction sites.
Chong concluded by stating that adherence to the amended Act could significantly reduce workplace accidents and fatalities, provided all parties, including employers, contractors, and workers, diligently fulfill their responsibilities.