KLANG: A symposium was held to review the achievements of the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2021–2025 (OSHMP25) as it draws to an end, while introducing the next phase of OSHMP30 (2026–2030).
An initiative of the Human Resources Ministry, through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), the symposium was officiated by the ministry's deputy secretary-general (Operations) Sutekno Ahmad Belon.
Sutekno said OSHMP25 is a national master plan designed to serve as a strategic guide in strengthening the country's occupational safety and health management system.
“This plan is also built on three main thrusts, namely strengthening occupational safety and health (OSH) governance, increasing human resource capabilities and mainstreaming OSH in every sector and level of society.
“Some of the achievements from the OSHMP25 were the increase in awareness level and safety and health culture in the workplace.
“This improvement is a result of the various programmes and activities under the department," he said on Thursday (Nov 6) at a hotel in Klang,
He said this includes enhancing the laws, self–risk assessments, health screenings and mentoring programmes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and vulnerable workers in the informal sector, among others.
Sutekno said Malaysia should be ready to address new occupational challenges as the country enters the next step of phase of OSHMP30.
“In this era of Industry 4.0 and the digital economy, there is a need to address safety challenges, including technological, psychosocial and environmental risks.
“OSHMP30 will be a strategic plan that not only protects the lives and health of workers but also strengthens the resilience of the country’s economy in this era of digital and globalisation,” he said.
Meanwhile, DOSH director-general Ir. Mohd Hatta Zakaria, in his opening speech, said OSHMP25 had successfully contributed to an inclusive ecosystem through the various high-impact programs and activities.
“The new plan of OSHMP30 will emphasise the importance of close collaboration between government, industry, academic institutions and society to ensure that every layer of the Malaysian workforce is protected, valued and prosperous,” he said.
