Encouraging safety self-regulation in workplaces

OCCUPATIONAL safety and health is a highly regulated area that is based on national planning and strategies to reduce accidents and diseases, raise awareness and inculcate a culture of safety in the workplace.

In Malaysia, these actions have been successfully promulgated by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) with the introduction of the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plans (OSHMP) since 2005.

DOSH is currently working on OSHMP 2025 in support of the 12th Malaysia Plan. OSHMP 2025 has seven strategies to reduce accidents and enhance the culture of safety. Each strategy is supported by specific activities. Government departments, industrial associations, health and safety NGOs and employee associations are enlisted to implement OSHMP 2025.

The second strategy in the plan addresses strengthening self-regulation. The main focus is to implement self-regulation particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which employ the largest number of workers in this country.

Trade associations in the SME sector could assist their members to implement self-regulation. They could set up internal technical and safety committees composed of experts drawn from the various sectors. The committees could identify the best practices for each sector and disseminate the information to their members.

There are many reasons why organisations should improve their OSH culture. Besides their desire to be excellent and responsible organisations, they should also realise that their employees are their biggest asset and should be protected and developed.

The government should allow companies to use their contributions to the Human Resources Development Fund to encourage them to embrace self-regulation. The government could also reduce the amount of employee and employer contributions to the Social Security Organisation for companies that have achieved self-regulation.

With such incentives, companies would certainly work towards self-regulation and achieve a safer work culture.

WONG SOO KAN

Petaling Jaya