New Straits Times, 29 January 2013

KOTA KINABALU: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification has become the key determinant for the future of industries.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said yesterday since 2004, the institute had issued Occupational Safety and Health Management System (MS 1722 and OHSAS 18001) certificates to 22 companies nationwide.

This includes certifying two Sabah oil palm companies -- Lahad Datu Edible Oils Sdn Bhd and TSH Wilmar Sdn Bhd, Kunak -- since Niosh Certification Sdn Bhd (NCSB) was established nine years ago.

"With this certification, we help companies to create branding and it is one way to make sure that industries in Malaysia becomes competent and productive."

He was speaking at the Media Appreciation Lunch 2013 at Pan Pacific Sutera, yesterday. Present were NCSB general manager Shamsul Zahrin Zainudin and Sabah and Labuan Niosh manager Mohd Hussin Abd Salam.

Lee said Sabah was moving towards industrialisation and it was important to comply with the safety standards regulations.

"If a company is certified, customers will be satisfied and they are confident this is a company which complies with safety standards."

This year, Niosh will be organising the Third Borneo Conference and Exhibition on Occupational Safety and Health 2013 in June, here.

Themed "A Global Strategy: Optimising Productivity Through Accident Prevention", the conference would allow participants (employers and employees) to gain knowledge and share information.

Metro Harian, 11 Januari 2013

Bangi: Peningkatan kes kemalangan di tempat kerja dan ketika berulang-alik ke tempat kerja saban tahun mencetuskan rasa tanggungjawab Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH) menghebahkan maklumat mengenai keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan secara lebih agresif dan holistik kepada golongan sasar.

Melalui kerjasama strategik dengan akhbar harian nombor satu negara, Harian Metro (HM), mulai hari ini maklumat mengenai keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan disiarkan menerusi artikel atau grafik yang diterbit dalam akhbar ini pada setiap Jumaat.

Pengerusi NIOSH Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye berkata, selaras jumlah pembaca HM yang majoritinya belia bekerja, beliau terpanggil menjalin kerjasama itu dengan objektif utama membudayakan amalan keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan.

“Justeru, kerjasama ini diharap mampu mendidik masyarakat termasuk suri rumah mengenai penjagaan keselamatan dan kesihatan ketika bekerja dalam apa juga sektor,” katanya pada sidang media selepas melancarkan Kerjasama Info Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Antara HM dan NIOSH bersama Pengarang Kumpulan HM Datuk Mustapa Omar di ibu pejabat NIOSH di sini, semalam. Mustapa berkata, pelaksanaan tanggungjawab sosial korporat (CSR) HM itu diteruskan dan kakitangan HM sendiri diharap memanfaatkan maklumat yang ada untuk keselamatan mereka.

New Straits Times, 19 December 2012

KOTA KINABALU: Occupational safety and health in the hospitality industry needs to be given more attention as it is a rapidly growing industry.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said yesterday it was no longer a "safe and clean" sector and it merited more attention from employers.

Lee said this after attending a two-day seminar on occupational safety and health for the hospitality industry in Sandakan organised by Niosh.

He urged employers to empower workers through safety and health committees to reduce accidents, injuries and deaths in workplaces.

"While life-threatening and acute injuries are uncommon in the hospitality industry, work-related hazards do exist," he said.

"Although accidents can and do happen, there are measures we can adopt to limit their occurrence.

"Accidents can be reduced if we make prudent and cautious work practices part of our culture."

In the last 10 years, the industrial accident rate in Malaysia had been halved from 10.3 cases for every 1,000 workers in 2002 to 5.7 cases last year.

This reflected the strong commitment by the government, employers and the workers to reduce accidents.

Lee said Malaysians needed to set a higher benchmark at three to four cases every 1,000 workers, on a par with those in developed countries.

"Human behaviour and lackadaisical attitudes towards safety must change for the better.

"Anyone can be involved in an accident, unless safety is not taken for granted and safe work practices are implemented."