SESB to promote safe working culture By Chok Sim Yee
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is committed to make occupational safety and health (OSH) a culture among its staff and contractors through the headquarters-level OSH Week programme.
Some 200 staff and SESB contractors took part in the programme, which was held from October 8 to 10.
SESB managing director Datuk Hj Abd Razak Sallim said the event aimed to enhance awareness and knowledge on OSH at the workplace, as well as to promote a safe working culture among its staff and contractors.
“As employees, we spend most of our time at work where we are exposed to various hazards that could cause accidents and workrelated diseases that could affect us and our families socially and financially.”
Abd Razak stated that in his speech, which was delivered by SESB senior general manager of asset management, Ir Mohd Yaakob Jaafar at the launching of the OSH Week programme here yesterday.
Themed ‘You Only Have One Life’, the three-day programme included OSH talks and exhibition by agencies such as the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Energy Commission, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh), Road Safety Department of Malaysia (JKJR) and Fire and Rescue Department.
There was also a blood donation drive organized in collaboration with the Likas Women and Children Hospital in aid of thalassemia patients.
Abd Razak said various costs could be saved by practising OSH.
This is because there were many hidden costs or indirect costs when accidents happened, such as investigation cost, treatment cost, compensation, repair cost for machinery, among others, he said.
He added that there was also emotional cost that negatively affected employees in the event of an accident, more so if the accident involved fatality.
On the other hand, SESB will continue to focus on improving safety management of its employees at the office, power stations and during installation works.
The company enforces five safety policies to ensure the OSH standard of employees were met and monitored, while the Department of Health, Safety and Environment to enforce, educate, monitor and disseminate information on work safety has been strengthened.