DOSH compounds companies over noise exposure to employees

KUCHING: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health ( DOSH) Sarawak has compounded companies for not carrying out preemptive monitoring of noise exposure for employees.

Its director Dr Ir Nor Halim Hasan in a press statement yesterday said the compounds were issued after the employers failed to perform their responsibilities.

He also warned that the department will not hesitate to take legal action if the offence continues.

“There has been an increase in reports of occupational illnesses from year to year. In 2017 alone, there were 476 cases reported to DOSH Sarawak and out of the number, 432 cases involved hearing loss. Hazardous noises are generated by machinery and machines with over 85dB(A) level used in the workplace,” he said.

As this situation was worrying, Nor Halim added that the Human Resource Ministry through DOSH Sarawak has taken steps to impose stern action on companies that do not comply with the Factories and Machinery ( Noise Exposure) Regulations 1989, under the Factories and Machinery Act.

“Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Factories and Machinery ( Noise Exposure) Regulations 1989 shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1,000.

“Considering the stern action to be taken, we hope it will send the intended message to the employer to comply with the regulations and law,” he said.

Nor Halim also reminded employers to always engage workers in addressing noise problems at the workplace, saying a combination of attentive employers, productive workers, effective occupational safety and health management systems and a conducive environment can be a catalyst for improving the competitiveness of industries and the country in general.