LEE: COMPILE DATA ON ACCIDENTS
NIOSH chairman urges govt to set up unit for this purpose
THE National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has urged the government to create a special unit to compile data and statistics on accidents in the tourism industry.
Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said this would allow the authorities to create and implement measures to prevent such accidents from occurring.
Lee said it was now difficult to get accurate statistics on accidents in the tourism industry since various agencies were involved.
“I hope the Tourism and Culture Minister (Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz) can present a proposal to the cabinet to set up the special unit.
“Having accurate statistics on accidents will help the authorities to make plans and take measures to prevent them,” Lee said here yesterday.
Between January and July this year, he said, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) recorded 42 accidents in the hotel and restaurant sector.
Last year, he said, the department recorded 87 accidents and three deaths in the same sector.
“However, these accidents mostly involved employees. It is difficult to get accurate data on accidents involving tourists or visitors.”
He said this after opening the “Occupational Safety and Health Awareness” seminar for the tourism sector at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here.
Lee said NIOSH encouraged tourism industry players to adopt the Occupational Safety and Health concept for the tourism industry to reduce the number of accidents and health problems.
“The concept does not mean that they must achieve zero accidents. It is to tell them that accidents and health problems at the workplace are preventable.
“If all in the tourism industry adhere to this concept, they will certainly take proactive steps to prevent accidents or illnesses from happening and, ultimately, reduce the number of cases every year,” Lee said.