Publication: NST
Date of publication: May 16, 2012
Section heading: Main Section
Page number: 026

KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to reduce industrial accidents and fatalities in the country, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is organising a conference and exhibition on occupational safety and health.

NIOSH chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said creating a safe work environment required fundamental changes in the way work spaces were designed and personnel were deployed.

"These changes require leadership capable of transforming the beliefs and practices of those who create the risk and those who work with the risk," Lee said.

He said safety briefings were vital and should not only be a part of events that talk about safety.

"Such briefings must be given at all functions, be it a government or private sector.

"Even a wedding dinner should start with a safety briefing. What would be the reaction in case a fire breaks out in a hall filled with people?" he asked.

Lee said the thinking that "safety should be a priority" should be turned into "safety should be a way of life".

The conference will be held at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre in Petaling Jaya from Sept 2 to 4.

New Straits Times, 4 September 2012

PETALING JAYA: Action will be taken against those responsible if negligence contributed to a shipping disaster in Labuan in July that resulted in five deaths, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said yesterday.

"Once we know what happened, action will be taken," he said at the Conference for Occupational Safety and Health in a shopping mall here

The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) had attributed the explosion and fire on board a methanol tanker to lightning.

DOSH deputy director-general (operations) Mohtar Musri, who was at the conference, said during the unloading of methanol from MISC ship Bunga Alpina to the Petronas methanol terminal on July 26, it was raining and there was lightning.

"When there is loading and unloading, there is bound to be vapour from the chemicals, and the vapour was what was struck by lightning, causing the explosion. The earthing mechanism was also not working that day."

On another matter, Dr Subramaniam urged employers to invest in occupational safety and health, saying it was an essential investment that would help increase their productivity and profitability. Bernama

Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye launching the Conference for Occupational Safety and Health in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

Harian Metro, 4 September 2012;

KUALA LUMPUR: Mana-mana syarikat yang tidak mengamalkan aspek keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan (OSH) dengan betul khususnya ketika berlaku bencana boleh diambil tindakan tegas, kata Menteri Sumber Manusia, Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam.

Mengambil contoh kejadian kapal tangki milik MISC Berhad, MV Bunga Alpinia yang terbakar dan meletup di Jeti Terminal Loji Petronas Metanol Labuan, Julai lalu hingga mengakibatkan lima terkorban, beliau berkata, insiden itu perlu diambil iktibar semua majikan secara serius.

Jelasnya, prosedur keselamatan seharusnya berada di tahap betul, malah apabila berlakunya situasi mendesak, ia perlu beroperasi dengan baik tanpa mengakibatkan musibah ke atas pekerja.

"Dalam kejadian kapal meletup itu kami dapati langkah keselamatan ketika terkena petir tidak berfungsi dengan baik. Kami akan siasat dengan menyeluruh, jika terdapat sebarang kesilapan tindakan boleh diambil.

"Tapi lebih utamanya, apa yang boleh kita belajar daripada kejadian ini ialah memastikan semua langkah keselamatan berada dalam keadaan baik dan berfungsi dengan elok terutama ketika bencana," katanya di sini, semalam.

Beliau terdahulu merasmikan Persidangan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (COSH) ke-15 di Pusat Konvensyen Sunway Pyramid, di sini, diadakan serentak dengan Persidangan Institut Kesihatan dan Keselamatan Pekerjaan Asian (AOSHRI) ke-4.

Seramai 1,300 peserta menghadiri persidangan itu yang turut membabitkan kontinjen daripada 14 negara.

Dalam pada itu, Subramaniam turut menggesa majikan supaya tidak lokek membuat pelaburan dalam bidang OSH berikutan percaya ia adalah usaha penting ke arah membantu meningkatkan produktiviti dan keuntungan syarikat.

"Apabila bercakap mengenai kesihatan, kita bukan hanya bercakap mengenai kesihatan fizikal, malah kesihatan mental serta emosi. Ia seharusnya menjadi pendekatan holistik kepada keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan.

"Kerana itu tak rugi sekiranya majikan melabur dalam OSH untuk mempersiapkan pekerja mereka sekali gus produktiviti turut meningkat," katanya.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan memperuntukkan sebanyak RM200,000 kepada Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH) sebagai dana penyelidikan yang diberi kepada mana-mana pihak berhasrat menyelidik bidang OSH.

Katanya, dana itu yang diberi secara tahunan diharap dapat diteruskan di masa akan datang, sekali gus membantu penyelidik membangun data komprehensif berkaitan.

New Sabah Times, 29th August, 2012

KUNDASANG: Although the country’s industrial accident rate has been halved in the past 10 years, there is still a need to build and foster an occupational safety and health (OSH) culture and strive towards an accident-free workplace environment.

Speaking at a press conference after the launching of an OSHseminar for the tourism industry in Sabah here yesterday, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the latest statistics from the Ministry of Human Resources should that the industrial accident rate had fallen from 10.3 cases for every 1,000 workers in 2002 to 5.72 cases last year.

He said this reflected the commitment and joint efforts by the government, employers and employees to reduce workplace accidents.

“While we are pleased to note the success of the joint efforts by all parties concerned, the biggest challenge remains that we only should further reduce the accident rate but also to build and foster an OSH culture in Malaysia.

“For a start, we need to benchmark ourselves against the developed countries which only have 3-4 accidents per 1,000 workers,” he said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2010-2015, he stressed, must be given utmost attention by all parties concerned to achieve further reduction in the rate of industrial accidents.

Lee also said companies must not profit at the expense of safety because if accidents occurred, lives may be lost and productivity would be affected.

“AS such, OSH ownership in every organisation is of paramount importance,” he said, adding that the focal point of safety was the human being or the employee who needed protection.

An accident prevention coupled with an OSH management strategy should therefore be adopted by all companies.

And, to achieve the total promotion of safety and health at work and elsewhere, organisational measures for accident prevention, motivation and behavioural change must be adopted.

Lee added that it was the responsibility of management to ensure that safety became a culture at their organisation and not just a priority.

“There is an urgent need to translate OSH knowledge into behaviour and practical application. OSH sloganeering is not the answer. We must avoid a situation where behind all the OSHbanners and signages, the workplace hazards are not addressed and controlled,” he said.

In this time of global competition and sweeping change, it is not enough for companies to make safety a priority.

Priorities change but cultures stand the test of time and safety must be a culture and a core value at the workplace.

He said managing occupational safety and health towards business competitiveness was very important and that employers must see training as an investment and not an expense.

“Management or employers must recognise the OSH of employees as an integral part of business management.

“Concerns for the bottom line must be looked at with equal gravity with OSH issues at the workplace. After all they are both concerned with the viability of the business enterprise,” he said.

Lee also said employees were often regarded by management to be the most important asset of any organisation.

“Hence, it makes sense that this particular asset should be protected in terms of health and safety and nurtured to ensure that it continues to be productive,” he said.

Management, he said, must now take a hard look at their asset and actively show how much they valued their employees with a responsible OSH policy backed up by the necessary organisation and system to implement accident prevention programmes.

“Common sense tells us that “safety is good business”. If industries give priority to safety issues at the workplace it will certainly be beneficial to the business,” he said.

The seminar was opened by Kundasang Assemblyman Dr Joachim Gunsalam on behalf the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Dsatuk Masidi Manjun.

Also present were NIOSH Sabah regional manager Mohd Hussin Salam, Tourism Ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Michael Emban and Ranau assistant district officer Bernard Kimin.

Lee (2nd left), flanked by Hussin (left) Dr Joachim (3rd left), Michael and Bernard (right) at the press conference

BANGI: Industri pembinaan menyumbang kepada jumlah paling tinggi kemalangan dan kecederaan di tempat kerja iaitu kirakira 4,665 kes daripada angka keseluruhan 35,616 kejadian malang itu sepanjang 2010.

Pengerusi Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH), Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, berkata industri perkhidmatan membabitkan elektrik, air dan gas pula mencatat jumlah kedua tertinggi kemalangan dan kecederaan di tempat kerja sebanyak 2,819 kes, manakala 599 kes bagi industri pembuatan.

Katanya, jumlah kemalangan dan kecederaan di tempat kerja secara keseluruhan pada 2010, menurun 39,770, iaitu kirakira 50 peratus daripada 75,386 kes berbanding 10 tahun lalu.

"Ini satu perkembangan positif dan penurunan ini dapat dicapai hasil peningkatan tahap kesedaran di kalangan pekerja dan majikan dengan keduadua pihak menunjukkan komitmen kepada keselamatan pekerja.

"Ia juga disebabkan pelbagai usaha ditumpukan kerajaan dalam menangani perkara itu, terutama melalui kempen oleh NIOSH, Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO) dan Jabatan Kesihatan dan Keselamatan Pekerjaan (DOSH).

"Selain itu, faktor ketiga penurunan itu membabitkan inisiatif majikan yang mengutamakan aspek keselamatan walaupun terpaksa melabur tinggi seperti membeli alat perlindungan diri kepada pekerja," katanya selepas melancarkan Hari Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (OSH) Sedunia, di bangunan NIOSH, di sini.

Bertemakan `Mempromosi Keselamatan dan Kesihatan dalam Ekonomi Hijau', OSH disambut setiap 28 April untuk mengingatkan golongan pekerja supaya mencegah kemalangan dan penyakit disebabkan pekerjaan, di seluruh dunia.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata kira-kira 20 sekolah menengah di Lembah Klang sudah membabitkan diri dalam program OSH anjuran NIOSH di sekolah, sejak diperkenalkan Mac lalu.

Katanya, program itu bagi memberi kesedaran melalui kempen kepada pelajar untuk mengelak berlaku kemalangan di beberapa tempat di sekolah seperti di kelas dan makmal akibat kecuaian atau kerosakan infrastruktur yang mampu mengancam nyawa.

"Bagi mengelak kemalangan kepada pelajar sama ada di sekolah atau aktiviti luar sekolah, guru juga disaran mempertingkatkan pengetahuan dalam OSH bagi mengelak berlaku kejadian tidak diingini kepada pelajar seperti pelajar terkena api dan melecur teruk ketika mengikuti perkhemahan, " katanya.

Utusan Malaysia - 26 April 2012

KUALA LUMPUR 26 April - Kadar kemalangan dan kecederaan di tempat kerja mencatat penurunan sebanyak 50 peratus pada 2010 berbanding 10 tahun lalu.

Pengerusi Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH), Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (gambar) berkata, berdasarkan data dari Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso), sebanyak 35,616 kes kemalangan perindustrian dilaporkan pada tahun 2010 berbanding 75,386 kes pada 2000.

“Kes-kes kemalangan itu melibatkan sektor perkilangan sebanyak 599 kes, pembinaan (4,665 kes) dan perkhidmatan (2,819 kes). Penurunan ini adalah satu perkembangan yang amat positif.

“Faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan kadar kemalangan perindustrian berkurangan ialah kerjasama antara kerajaan, NIOSH, Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (DOSH) dan Perkeso yang bergerak sebagai satu pasukan dalam membawa kesedaran mengenai isu ini kepada pihak majikan dan pekerja," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas melancarkan Hari Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Dunia 2012 peringkat NIOSH di Bandar Baru Bangi dekat sini hari ini.

Turut hadir penceramah dari Jabatan Perlindungan Buruh dan Kebajikan Thailand, Dr. Keson Theppeang dan Pengarah Eksekutif NIOSH, Rosli Hussin.

Lam Thye berkata, pihak majikan kini lebih fokus dan sedia melabur di dalam semua aspek berkenaan sama ada keselamatan atau kesihatan untuk pekerja.

Dalam pada itu menurut beliau, tema untuk tahun ini iaitu Mempromosikan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pada Ekonomi Hijau adalah selaras dengan objektif NIOSH yang menegaskan betapa pentingnya untuk mewujudkan satu persekitaran mampan, hijau dan banyak peluang pekerjaan menggunakan teknologi hijau.

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 28 (Bernama)

Media practitioners who report on Occupational Safety and Health need to be given an opportunity to understand aspects of OSH to depart correct information to the public.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said many journalists and photographers had concerns regarding work assignments, particularly the pressure in obtaining a scoop without considering the risks they may be exposed to.

"Media organizations compete dynamically about who can transmit the latest news and events as they unfold, taking an advantage over competitors in securing a scoop and being the first on the scene.

"Some journalists, photographers and camera operators may unintentionally imperil their lives for sensational reports and images," he said when opening a seminar on Occupational Safety and Health for the Media here Tuesday.

Although Malaysia saw its first journalist die in Mogadishu in September last year, Lee reminded media practitioners to take precautions regardless of time and place.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday February 8, 2012, The Star Online

THE number of drowning cases in the country is worrying. According to the Fire and Rescue Department, 303 cases were recorded in 2011 and 331 in 2010. In Pahang alone, 28 people drowned from 2008 until last January. The number of cases in other states is also alarming.

Beaches can and often provide a range of opportunities for community health and wellbeing. The beach offers social, environmental and physical health and fitness opportunities.

However, the beach also has hazards that can present a risk to the ill-informed, uneducated or those who may choose to ignore, disregard or who misjudge a situation.

The issues surrounding community/public safety have become of greater importance. However, the specifics of beach safety have not been addressed properly and public safety at the beach tend to be the forgotten issue while considerable attention is given to environment protection and others.

We need a strategy for safe beaches, free from drowning. It is not about stopping people from having fun or preventing them from being in, on, under and around water. We want them to be safe while doing so.

There are many factors which cause drowning, such as unrestricted and ready access to beaches, lack of knowledge and understanding of the water conditions, ignorance, disregard or misjudgment of hazardous water conditions, absence of constant visual supervision and, particularly, lack of awareness and education in water safety, personal survival and life-saving.

Beach safety and risk management strategies are crucial to ensure the reduction of death by drowning. The implementation of an effective risk management programme can reduce the incidence of death at our beaches.

It is the responsibility of those organisations, agencies and authorities with jurisdiction over beaches to identify, and preferably minimise, the risks of injury or death by drowning.

This responsibility is not sufficiently satisfied by installing signs or providing safety equipment.

We should advocate proper supervision of beaches and other water attractions, support legislation that requires the use of personal flotation devices to be worn at beaches and educate parents on the need for close supervision of children at beaches.

The time has come for all relevant agencies and authorities to beef up safety along all beaches throughout the country.

Apart from that, education on safe practices during water activities and making safe decisions about water-related activities and to appropriately manage water-related hazards are among the prevention strategies we can adopt.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,

Chairman,

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

7th February, 2012, New Sabah Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Institut Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Negara (NIOSH) menggesa agensi dan pihak ber- kuasa yang berkaitan supaya mening- katkan tahap keselamatan di sepanjang pantai di negara ini berikutan peningkatan jumlah kematian akibat lemas setiap tahun.

Pengerusinya Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye berkata strategi pengurusan perlu turut dirangka dan dilaksanakan secara berkesan untuk mengelak kematian akibat lemas.

“Kita memerlukan strategi bagi pantai yang selamat, bebas daripada kes mati lemas. Ia bukan untuk menghalang orang ramai daripada bergembira, atau menegah mereka daripada berada dalam air. Kami mahu mereka selamat semasa berbuat demikian,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini kelmarin.

Beliau berkata isu berkaitan keselamatan pantai tidak ditangani dengan sewajarnya dan keselamatan orang ramai di pantai seringkali menjadi isu yang dilupakan manakala lebih banyak perhatian diberi kepada perlindungan alam sekitar dan sebagainya.

Katanya menurut Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, jumlah kes mati lemas yang direkodkan pada 2010 adalah 331 dan pada 2011, 303 kes.

Beliau berkata terdapat banyak faktor yang mengakibatkan berlaku kes lemas, misalnya akses yang tidak terhad ke pantai, kurang pengetahuan dan pemahaman mengenai keadaan air, kejahilan, pengabaian atau salah anggaran terhadap keadaan air yang berbahaya serta kurang kesedaran dan pendidikan tentang keselamatan air.

“Menjadi tanggungjawab organisasi, agensi dan pihak berkuasa berkenaan yang mempunyai bidang kuasa terhadap kawasan pantai untuk mengenal pasti dan sebaik-baiknya meminimumkan risiko kecederaan atau kematian akibat lemas.

“Tanggungjawab ini bukanlah dengan hanya sekadar memasang papan tanda atau menyediakan peralatan keselamatan,” kata- nya.

Di samping pendidikan tentang amalan keselamatan semasa mengadakan aktiviti di air, Lee berkata orang ramai juga perlu menyokong penyeliaan pantai dan tarikan di air dengan sewajarnya selain menyokong undang-undang yang memerlukan penggunaan alat pengapungan peribadi untuk dipakai semasa berada di pantai.