Niosh supports call for safety audits in schools
SIBU: The Ministry of Education (MoE) and Sarawak Education authority have been urged to come up with necessary measures to prevent more tragedies from happening in schools.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye made the call, following the tragic incident, when teacher Catherine Janet Tiwi, 25, perished in a fire that razed a primary school quarters in Mulu last Wednesday.
Lee highlighted that he has emphasised the importance of safety audit for schools, especially old ones time and again.
“In Sarawak, there are so many rural schools that have been in existence for a long time. Then, there are some which are fire hazards. I think we all have to learn from this tragedy. There is a bitter lesson.
“So, I think it is very essential for MoE and the Sarawak education authority to have a thorough discussion on this matter and come up with the necessary action to prevent more tragedies. It is very sad that there is loss of life. I think it serves as a lesson to MoE and also Sarawak education authority,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He explained: “When I said discuss the matter indepth I really hope that they will really come to a decision – to have a safety audit as pointed by Puncak Borneo member of parliament (MP) Willie Mongin.
“I support what he said as this safety audit is very important.”
Lee further assured that as far as Niosh is concerned, it is ready to provide assistance such as the ‘OSH in School’ programme to make schools safe places for study and work.
He expounded that the programme is actually to educate both teachers and students on safety issues.
Lee also extended his deepest condolences to Catherine’s family. He described the death as preventable, adding “all these years, I have been emphasising the importance of safety audit for schools especially old schools”.
Meanwhile, Willie had said in a press statement on Friday that the tragedy could have been avoided if rural schools in Sarawak were well taken care of.
In Sarawak, there are so many rural schools that have been in existence for a long time. Then, there are some which are fire hazards. I think we all have to learn from this tragedy. There is a bitter lesson to be learned from this tragedy. — Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman