PERKESO has implemented workplace accident prevention programmes such as training for company occupational safety coordinators, defensive riding modules for gig riders, and accident monitoring under Ops Cegah. – 123rf
APRIL 24 this year marked the 10th anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka which killed 1,138 textile factory workers and injured about 2,500 others.
I can vividly recollect my discussions with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on disputes related to applying hukum faraid in the disbursement of social security benefits for the victims of the tragedy.
But such a tragedy could have been avoided if workplace safety and health measures were given priority.
The principle behind prevention of workplace accidents and occupational diseases is about saving human lives. As a medical practitioner, I hold this value very close to my heart.
In 2022, a total of 72,149 reports were made to PERKESO on work-related and commuting accidents as well as occupational diseases.
Borne by the national economy, the cost of workplace accidents includes the associated medical costs, dispute settlements, income losses and incidences of poverty.
Under PERKESO, eligible insured workers and their dependants are protected with social security benefits such as cash assistance and rehabilitation to prevent poverty.
‘I cannot emphasise enough that Malaysia must adopt a strong workplace safety culture in line with our Vision Zero strategies – whereby we envision all accidents are preventable,’ says Dr Mohammed Azman.
But one death of an insured worker due to workplace accident leads to hundreds of thousands ringgit worth of dependants’ benefit payments by PERKESO.
In Malaysia, about three workers die every day due to occupational accidents.
Moreover, compensation alone cannot replace the productivity lost from time spent outside work due to work-related injuries.
Based on PERKESO data, Malaysia loses more than 5.8 million productive working days every year due to work-related accidents.
Altogether, we are looking at direct cost to the labour market amounting to more than RM3.64bil in compensation and productivity losses.
Considering other potential indirect costs such as the highly subsidised medical costs, morbidity, quality of life and industrial impact of accident, PERKESO estimates the total impact to the nation would be multiple times larger.
In fact, with every work-related injury, permanent disability or death, the country also loses its investments in human capital accumulation and skills development of its workforce.
At the household level, families are saddled with emotional distress, additional care responsibility and hardship as their breadwinners suffer from work injury, or worse, death.
Therefore, I cannot emphasise enough that Malaysia must adopt a strong workplace safety culture in line with our Vision Zero strategies – whereby we envision all accidents are preventable.
PERKESO also remains cognizant of the changing world of work, which gives rise to new types of jobs and flexible working arrangements that in turn introduce new risks to workplace safety and health.
Together with key stakeholders such as the police, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Road Transport Department, PERKESO implements prevention programmes such as training for company occupational safety coordinators, defensive riding modules for gig riders, and accident monitoring under Ops Cegah.
This year alone, PERKESO allocated RM3.7mil in financial grants to 38 NGOs and institutions to implement more than 600 prevention programmes nationwide, focusing on raising awareness about occupational safety and health.
Such an allocation is an investment that I would always fight for. Just as flowers need proper care and attention to flourish, so too do workers who need proper precautions and preventive measures to stay safe and thrive in their workplaces.
By prioritising prevention across employees, employers and government, we can cultivate a culture of safety and wellbeing – ensuring that every individual is able to bloom and reach his full potential.
So, let us sow the seeds of prevention today and watch as a forest of sturdy and productive workers bloom before us.
Dr MOHAMMED AZMAN AZIZ
Chief Executive
PERKESO
This article is written in conjunction with World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
