Employees safety must be taken seriously

MUADZAM SHAH: There are more than 4,000 officers who have the authority to check on the safety and health of employees in working premises and there is a need for more of them.

Human Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan said the Ministry is aggresively looking recruit more of these workers to attend safety and health courses held by the National Institute of Occupational of Safety and Health (Niosh) from time to time.

Maznah said they are the authorised person to check and monitor on the quality of safety and health in working premises and the demand for their authorisation is increasing.

She said they could either be part-timers or working as authorised officers on a full time basis.

“Existing officers who posses Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia(SPM) ceritificates and above are encouraged to attend the courses with Niosh and with the certs they will be able to be authorised officers to monitor and conduct checks on working premises.

“The intention is to ensure that the working premises and its environment are condusive, safe and according to the saefty and health standards.

This is to avoid any unneccesaries accidents during working hours, or at the working places and other related matters concerning the safety and health of the employees,’’ Maznah said after she officiated the safety and health awarenes programme held in Dewan Mini Stadium recently.

Maznah said the importance of safety and health among employees will not be compromised as all employers have to provide a condusive, safe and healthy working environment to their employees, either in factories, offices, and other type of working places.

“It has to be beared in our mind that accidents that occur during working hours will jeorpadise the employers’ daily operations and affect its activities,” she said.

Maznah said in any organisation, the most important asset for them is their staff.

She said the awareness on the importance of the workers’s safety and health is currently increasing and there are companies which have been cooperative in sending their staff to attend safety courses.

By NIK NAIZI HUSIN
metro@thestar.com.my