KUCHING: There has been a drastic decrease in workplace fatality cases involving various sectors in Sarawak over the past five years.
Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Sarawak director, Ir Dr Nor Halim Hasan said a total of 22 fatalities were recorded in 2022 and 2021 respectively compared to 26 fatalities in 2020, 32 in 2019 and 47 in 2018.
Comparing these figures, he said, only four fatalities were recorded as of April this year.
“Out of 138 workplace accidents involving various sectors in the state, the manufacturing sector contributed the most with 60 cases, followed by the agriculture and fisheries sector with 32 cases and the forestry sector with 10 cases.
“A total of four death cases were recorded involving the manufacturing, the agriculture and fisheries, the forestry as well as the real estate finance and business services sectors.
“There are also four cases of permanent disability, 121 cases of non-permanent disability and nine cases of dangerous accidents,” he said.
Nor Halim told reporters in conjunction with the state-level World Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Day 2023, which was officiated by the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Datuk Khirudin Drahman at Sarawak Bomba headquarters, Jalan Setia Raja today (May 23).
He explained that the reduction in the accident rates at workplace, was due to various safety and awareness measures carried out by his department.
“If we look at the construction sector in Malaysia, it is among the highest contributors to fatal accidents.
“We do not deny this especially when there is a rapid construction activity, the potential for a fatal accident is quite high.
“However, with the steps we take, enforcement and competent people alike, the employer’s responsibility and awareness, it would help in ensuring that the workplace is safe from accidents,” he said.
Nor Halim said his department would take punitive actions from time to time against those who fail to comply with DOSH regulations.
Before the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 was amended, the maximum fine for offences including failure of employers to formulate safety and health policies, was RM50,000.
“But now, the Act has been amended and gazetted, it will be enforced soon and the maximum penalty that we will impose, is RM500,000.
“From time to time, any workplace involved in fatal accidents, we will take court action.
“Information on such cases which have been taken to court are shared on our Facebook page for public knowledge,” he said.
