Insufficient safety concern at work places in T’gganu

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KUALA TERENGGANU: Over 50% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Terengganu don’t give serious attention to occupational safety and health-management systems (OSHMS), says the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Department.

Pahang Occupational Safety and Health Department deputy director Zulkifli Yahaya said SME workers are constantly exposed to accidents at their work places due to the poor implementation of occupational-safety measures.

He said the companies, in particular those in food manufacturing, did not pay attention to safety regulations at their premises.

Workplace safety: A file picture of Petronas Gas Bhd’s processing plant in Kerteh, Terengganu. The oil and gas sector in the state has a good safety record.

“Although the SME sector has yet to record cases of fatal accidents, we found that over 50% don’t give enough attention to OSHMS,” he said after opening an OSHMS seminar on indoor air quality and chemical risk assessment recently.

Cases of fatal accidents at work in Terengganu are still low, with the construction industry recording four deaths, followed by trade with two deaths, and manufacturing one.

Zulkifli also said the department was satisfied with the chemical and petroleum sector as the level of compliance with health and safety regulations for workers is high.

This is because employers in the sector are fully aware of the harmful effects of chemicals and petroleum on the environment if they are not handled with care.