Occupational Safety and Health Overview

Study Notes

OSH ensures safe and healthy work environments for employees and those affected by their work.
Occupational health is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on enabling individuals to perform their jobs without harm to their health.
OSH aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees.
It promotes workers' health by preventing and controlling occupational accidents and diseases.
OSH encourages cooperation between management and workers to create a safe working environment.
Top management is responsible for the safety of workers.
There should be a clear written policy for safety and health management.
Organizations need to implement the best available knowledge and methods for safety and health practices in the workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1994 (Act 514) provides general duties for employers, self-employed individuals, designers, manufacturers, and suppliers regarding workplace safety.
The Act also addresses the appointment of officers, the establishment of the National Council, policy development, the preparation of occupational safety and health measures, enforcement, the role of investigators, and legal liabilities for offenses.

The focus on occupational safety and health in Malaysia dates back over 120 years to the late 19th century.
OSH initially focused on boiler safety and then expanded to include machinery safety.
The development of OSH in Malaysia can be divided into five eras:
- Boiler Safety (1878 - 1914): Mr. William Givan was appointed as the first Machinery Inspector in 1878 to oversee boiler safety in tin mines.
- Boiler and Machinery Safety (1890 - 1914): In 1890s, Perak state government implemented an inspection system where qualified individuals were licensed as boiler surveyors.
- Machinery Safety (1914 - 1953): In 1914, the Machinery Enactment of 1913 replaced previous boiler enactments, expanding inspection to include various machinery types.
- Industrial Safety and Health (1953 - 1978): The Machinery Department separated from the Mines Department in 1952, recognizing the growing need for machinery inspection beyond mining.
- Comprehensive Safety and Health (1978 - Present): The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1978 established comprehensive safety and health regulations across all sectors, marking a shift to a holistic approach to workplace safety.