Occupational Safety and Health Overview

Occupational Safety and Health

• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) general provisions are covered.
• Creating a safe work environment is a key objective.
• Building better workforce health is a priority.
• Work practices, programmes, and activities are crucial.

Introduction to Occupational Safety & Health

• Workplace awareness of occupational safety & health is essential.
• Productivity and quality of an organization are impacted.
• Cooperation with relevant bodies (SOCSO, DOSH, NIOSH etc., ILO) is important.
• Employers have the responsibility and duty for occupational safety & health.
• A strong leadership and commitment to OSH activities are essential from the employer's perspective.
• Employers should create an OSH management system.
• Policies, organizing, planning, implementation, evaluation, and action for improvement are all key aspects of an OSH management system.

Importance of Safety and Health

• Increased knowledge and experience on worker protection positively impact productivity and organizational effectiveness.
• Public awareness of safety and health issues has risen due to incidents in the workplace.
• Government policies have played a proactive role through legislation.
• Reducing employee claims is a goal for better efficiency and social responsibility of organizations/employers.
• Labor unions and NGOs encourage employers' awareness of safety and health matters.

Health Hazards

• Chemicals pose risks when inhaled, contacted, absorbed or ingested.
• Biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other living organisms.
• Physical hazards include noise, illumination, temperature, and vibration.
• Ergonomics or repetitive strain injuries are also a type of health hazard.
• Psychological hazards in the workplace include stress, bullying, anxiety, and excessive fatigue.

Effects of Health Hazards

• Skin irritation or corrosion are potential effects.
• Respiratory issues can be a consequence.
• Aspiration hazards are also potential issues.
• Eye damage or irritation due to occupational health hazards are possible.
• Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing substances) and reproductive toxicity are potential effects from chemical exposure hazards.
• Specific target organ toxicity from occupational health hazards is also a concern.

Safety Hazards

• Slips, trips, and falls are common workplace safety issues.
• Being struck by moving machinery or objects
• Fire and explosions are significant safety hazards.
• Transportation and vehicle-related accidents
• Confined spaces are also a risk factor.
• Violence is a safety hazard in the workplace.

Occupational Accident Statistics (2021)

• Data is provided on accident figures by sector, state and details about accidents/injuries.
• Statistics are provided by the source of the data, the International Policy and Research Development Division.

Causes of Industrial Accidents

• Falls and being struck by objects are frequent causes of accidents.
• Exposure to extreme heat, electricity and dangerous substances (e.g., radiation).
• Slips are also a cause of industrial accidents
• Other causes of industrial accidents exist

Causes of Industrial Accidents – Further Details

• Failure to use safety equipment is a common element
• Excessive fatigue or tiredness at work
• Age, supervision quality, vision, perceptual skill, workplace stress, or working nights are also contributing factors

Creating a Safe Work Environment

• The process of investigating and recording incidents.
• Enforcing safety rules effectively.
• Implementing safety awareness programmes

Safety Policies

• A statement describing the commitment to provide a safe and healthy workplace.
• Identifying those responsible for safety in the organization.
• Procedures and structures for implementing safe work practices should be described.

Example of Safety Policy - Hitachi Cable Johor

• Training employees on safety and techniques.
• Continuously upgrading safety features of machinery.
• Controlling the usage and handling of hazardous materials.
• Developing and practicing safe working procedures.
• Implementing systems to prevent accidents, incidents, and occupational hazards
• Compliance with government acts and regulations.

Safety Awareness Programmes

• Total commitment from all levels of employees to work safely.
• Communicating safety messages from the initial orientation to continually reinforced.
• Adequate budget, lead safety meetings, and activities for supporting safety awareness programmes.
• In-house safety training.
• Public programmes like NIOSH, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers for support.
• Addressing accident investigation, plan preparedness, risk control and safety & health for supervisors.
• OSHA 1994 regulations and compliance.
• Compliance to Factory and Machinery Act are required too.

Enforcement of Safety Rules

• Safety campaigns to raise awareness.
• Forums and discussions
• Incentives and rewards for employees who meet safety targets.
• Providing personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Disciplinary systems for rule violations.

Investigating and Recording Accidents

• Keeping and analysing records.
• Investigating accidents (minor and major)
• Identifying corrective actions, rearranging workstations, providing additional training.
• Complying with Occupational Safety & Health Act, SOCSO, and Workman’s Compensation Act

Creating a Healthy Work Environment

• Common health hazards—Use of chemicals, smoke, fumes, radiation, infection, extreme temperatures, noise, vibration, ergonomics, wellness issues, job stress and burnout, depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse are examples.

Implications of Health Hazards

• Miscarriages, suppressed immune systems, cancer, eye strain, physical discomfort, and high stress levels are possible results of chemical, toxic, noise, and extreme temperature risks.

How to Handle Health Hazards

• Improve workforce health, reduce absenteeism, and boost morale.
• Pre-employment assessments/tests to ensure a good fit for the job.
• Promote workplace fitness and health.
• Provide nutrition information and training to employees.
• Implement employee assistance programs, including in-house or outside counselors when needed.

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

• Enforcing OSHA regulations.
• Complying with acts, guidelines, and codes of practices.
• Developing and reviewing legislation, policies, and guidelines.
• Promoting a safe and healthy work culture.
• Research on OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994

• Establishment of Safety and Health Committees.
• Policies for employers with more than five employees.
• Hazardous industries and important sectors (e.g., construction, gas and petroleum, chemical, woodworking, and cement manufacturing).

Aims of Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994

• Ensuring the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of employees.
• Protecting employees from risks.
• Promoting a workplace environment that meets employees' physiological and psychological needs

Organization Responsibility Under OSHA 1994

• Setting up Work Safety Committees and rules.
• Ensuring that workers are adequately trained and follow safety instructions.
• Designing areas for work and non-work activities.
• Ensuring compliance requirements for manning safety, noise and other hazards.
• Adequate insurance cover for workers through appropriate agencies to provide support.
• Removing and storing dangerous products.
• Maintaining an accident register and monitoring safety situations

Duties of Employer Under OSHA 1994

• Providing a safe and healthy workplace to the workforce and others involved.
• Ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of employees.
• Ensuring necessary plant is up to standard.
• Minimizing operations that pose danger to safety of employees.
• Provide training and information.

Written Safety & Health Policy Section 16 Part IV OSHA 1994

• All employers with more than five employees must have a written Safety & Health Policy.
• It must include a General policy statement and Organizational arrangements.
• Policy content should be known to workers through, for instance, induction courses and strategic placement of information.

Duties of Employees Under OSHA 1994

• Responsible care for themselves and others.
• Cooperation with employers.
• Wearing and using necessary protective equipment.
• Complying with all instructions.

Duties of a Safety and Health Officer (Section 31)

• Employer appoints a Safety & Health Officer.
• Safety & Health Officer advises the employer
• Safety & Health Officer needs to inspect the workplace.
• Assist the employer to organize & implement OSH programs.

Safety & Health Committee (Section 30)

• OSHA requires employers to establish safety and health committees where there are 40 or more employees.
• Committee functions include reviewing measures, investigating and resolving problems.

Accident Statistics Data Analysis

• Accident number trends are presented for a period of study (2010-2014) regarding different segments : Accidents, industrial accidents, and commuting accidents.
• Data is provided showing trends on worker accidents.

Work Practices, Programmes, and Activities: NIOSH

• The National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) is a Malaysian organisation.
• NIOSH was established in 1992
• NIOSH is seen as a critical catalyst and backbone for promoting a self-regulating occupational health culture.
• Training, consultation, research and development, dissemination of information (workshops and conferences) and examinations are part of NIOSH's activities.