Dosh selects 16 firms as Sohelp pioneers
SIBU: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health ( Dosh) has implemented a new programme called Systematic Oc cupat iona l and Hea l th Enhancement P rog ramme ( Sohelp) to help indust ry understand the importance of ergonomics and the best methodology to implement it.
Sarawak Dosh director Mohd Hatta Zakaria said 16 companies had been selected as the pioneering companies.
“The programme is implemented to focus on areas such as chemical, noise and ergonomics which will be carried out using ‘checkpoint’ method developed by Dosh headquarters.
“The awareness of ergonomics among employers and employees in Sarawak is improving. However, for factories which are risky and financially capable, they are already making use of the ergonomic risk assessment to improve their workplaces.
“There are workplaces yet to implement the ‘ Ergonomic Risk Assessment’ due to the high costs,” he said.
He went on to say that according to Dosh’s statistics based on the complaints and reports of Occupational Diseases, there were three musculoskeletal disorder ( MSD) cases recorded such as temporary back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Upper Limb Disorder in 2015.
He said employees involved in the case were working as technicians and clerks. In the period from January to June this year there were three cases of Lumber Spine disorder, Degeneratible Disc Disease Cervical and Lumber Spondylysis herniation involving three workers.
Their status for permanent or temporary injury had yet to be determined.
Mohd Hatta said Dosh Sarawak had consistent ly conducted inspe c t ions in a l l type of workplaces, which included ergonomics inspection.
“In the many days of inspection we incorporate advisory, site inspection, self- assessment and basic occupational health audit to introduce and inculcate a safe working environment,” he said.
Meanwhi le, occupat ional disease and poisoning are not only a burden to workers who might lose their source of income but also provided a significant impact to the country’s labour resources over long period of time if these problems were not identified and prevented at an early stage.
Separately, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health ( Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said previously, most ergonomic implementation was only done through a campaign poster or short talk given to the employees.
Now, due to the increased awareness of the efforts of all parties, many industries have started to take a more serious view to manage the problem.
“Ergonomic implementation of the best management system is done through the development of ergonomics in the workplace.
“Amo n g t h em is the establishment of procedures relating to the organisation of ergonomics in the workplace, ergonomic risk identification and risk assessment methods and procedures, early reporting and investigation of disease, elements of training, procedures of selection and supply of equipment that is based on ergonomic consideration,” Lee said.