PERKESO’s efforts to reduce workplace accidents show results


Safety first: Abdul Rahman (front row, centre) posing for group photo with participants of the PERKESO Accident Prevention Convention 2025 at the Bangi Avenue Convention Centre in Kajang. With him is Subahan (front row, fifth from right) and Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (front row, third from left). — ART CHEN/The Star

KAJANG: Proactive steps taken by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) to reduce workplace accidents resulted in a slight decline of cases last year compared with 2023, says Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

The Deputy Human Resources Minister said 66,574 cases of workplace accidents were reported in 2024 compared with 68,220 cases the previous year.

He said industrial accidents also decreased from 35,039 cases in 2023 to 32,936 last year.

However, he said commuting accidents involving employees rose slightly from 33,181 in 2023 to 33,638 last year.

Abdul Rahman said under Ops Cegah 2025, PERKESO will monitor 7,000 employers jointly with the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH), Road Safety Research Institute as well as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

He said this will be an increase of 25.4% from the 5,582 employers monitored in last year’s Ops Cegah.

It is an operation where workplaces that have reported cases of accidents or are prone to accidents are closely monitored by PERKESO in efforts to lower such mishaps.

According to Abdul Rahman, Ops Cegah 2024 had helped lower accidents at 68% of the 5,582 employers monitored under the operation.

He said this after handing grants worth RM4.01mil to 35 non-governmental organisations and institutes during the launch of the PERKESO Accident Prevention Convention 2025 at the Bangi Avenue Convention Centre here.

He said PERKESO will expand its focus on workplaces with a high rate of accidents.

“To intensify prevention of work-related accidents, PERKESO will emphasise on four areas namely, maximising its scope of coverage; foster effective cooperation; gather accurate and true data; and promote innovative data this year.

“We hope that with such programmes, safety is prioritised and accidents are prevented,” said Abdul Rahman.

He added the groups will use the grants to hold awareness seminars and talks on workplace and commuting safety.

Abdul Rahman said the convention, which saw 500 participants signing up, is an early initiative towards preventing workplace accidents.

“Although by percentage, the accident rate is not that high, but on seeing the number of cases, I consider it very high. This is due to negligence at workplaces or while commuting.

“Sometimes, even the employers do not know of the high rate of workplace accidents. This is why we hold conventions such as this to bring awareness to them.

“The speakers in this event are from the police, JPJ, DOSH and other relevant agencies who are aware of the cause of the accidents.

“Hence, when we start enforcement, do not be upset with us as our concern is the safety of workers,” Abdul Rahman said.

On another matter, he said there was an increase in gig industry workers signing up with PERKESO last year.

He said gig workers, especially those involved in delivery, are also among the highest number of those involved in workplace accidents.

“We appreciate the work they do as their services bring convenience for us. However, they chase trips to meet their daily target. Last year, there were 4,839 accidents involving gig workers. This is very high,” Abdul Rahman said.

Meanwhile, PERKESO Board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the responsibility of workplace safety does not solely lie on workers but also employers.

He said employers should ensure they create a safe environment free of any risk of accidents, provide adequate training, personal safety gear and adherence to safety rules.

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