Employers and industry players pushed to get safety passes

KUALA LUMPUR: Employers and industry stakeholders who have yet to implement the Safety Passport program are encouraged to do so as a measure to reduce accident rates in the workplace.

Minister of Human Resources V. Sivakumar said it was vital as the 1994 amendment to the National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) Act emphasized employers’ preventive principles, but noted that his department is not currently proposing to make the passport compulsory.

“I really hope the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will sponsor this to reach more employers who are unaware of its existence.

“This safety pass can help reduce accident rates in the workplace, including on construction sites. We don’t know when accidents happen. As such, I urge all employers and industry stakeholders to pay serious attention to this matter,” he said during a media briefing after leading the NIOSH Safety Passport Strategic Partner Recognition Ceremony here today.

At the event, a total of 15 strategic partners received certificates and trophies in appreciation of the program’s success, including Petronas, Shell Malaysia, Petron, Air Selangor, Astro and Nestlé.

He said the government’s efforts to reduce accidents and illnesses in the workplace could be achieved if more employers implemented the scheme.

“Based on studies conducted by NIOSH, employers agreed that the Safety Passport program meets its goal of raising worker awareness of occupational safety and health issues and reducing accident rates in the workplace.

“We must recognize the fact that workplace accidents, including fatalities and illnesses, can affect productivity and affect the country’s social and economic situation,” Sivakumar said, adding that all parties should cooperate with the government on the matter.

As for whether the public service would need the pass, he is currently focusing on private and government contractors.

He also said that NIOSH will develop the Safety Passport module for creative industries and media together with Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute.

The program was first introduced in 2000 as a government measure to raise employee awareness of safety and health issues in their workplace. -Bernama