Use new technology to keep workers safe, says Niosh

KUALA LUMPUR: Employers must make use of technology to improve safety for workers, says National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He cited the use of embedded personal protective equipment (PPE) with sensors and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to improve data gathering and efficiency as examples on improving workers’ safety.

Lee also said the move to widen the scope of laws to better protect self-employed workers was timely.

“Self-employed workers must be given the means to ensure their safety and quality of life,” Lee told reporters after launching Labour Day celebrations organised by Bank Islam and Uni-Malaysian Labour Centre (Uni-MLC) here yesterday.

Lee, who is Uni-MLC adviser, was commenting on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Labour Day address that the government was looking at strengthening the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme and the Employment Injury Scheme.

This includes widening the scope of the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to cover the self-employed.

Meanwhile, Lee said all old residential buildings built by the government, including residential colleges, should be subjected to compulsory annual safety audits.

“State governments must come out with a clear-cut policy on the matter as many buildings are more than 30 years old with some in dilapidated condition,” he added.

Lee’s call comes after 222 residents of Block F of the Taman Keramat flats were recently evacuated after the appearance of massive cracks on the walls of the four-storey building.