DOSH initiates several initiatives to raise awareness on safety
LAHAD DATU: Failure to observe and comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) and safety rules has contributed to an increase in the number of accidents involving workers in the agricultural sector.
Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Sabah director Mohd Zahari Hitam said up to June this year, 25 cases were recorded with one fatal accident compared to 15 cases and five fatal accidents last year.
A total of 146 cases with five fatal accidents were recorded throughout the state up to June this year, and 25 compounds amounting to RM80,500 as well as ten summonses amounting to RM85,000 were recorded.
Zahari said it was for that reason that DOSH had begun implementing several initiatives, including holding seminars to raise awareness on safety.
“This initiative is in line with the government’s target to reduce the accident rate by five percent each year. We also have the Occupational Safety and Health Masterplan (OSH MP2020) which strives to increase the level of safety and health to an excellent level,” he said.
Zahari said this when met after officiating at a seminar in conjunction with the Safety and Occupational Health Week at Plasma, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) office here yesterday.
According to Zahari, DOSH will hold such programmes from time to time to increase knowledge and awareness, especially among employers and employees.
He said DOSH would also increase its enforcement effort such as raising the rate of compound and prosecution so that safety will be taken seriously.
In the meantime, Zahari informed factory operators and employers to strictly comply with the rules as failing to do so may create situations which could endanger their workers.
He also advised employers to identify potential danger spots or situations that could occur in the factory and to take appropriate measures to control the risk in order to avoid any injuries or accident.
The seminar, attended by 150 participants, was organized by DOSH with the cooperation of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysia Palm Oil Association (MPOA).
Also present were MPOB Sabah head Yakup Ibrahim and MPOA representative Sudarmuji Tarmidi.