KUANTAN: Employers should not implement cost-cutting measures at the expense of the safety and health of their employees at the workplace, says National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said companies should not do these when maintaining plants and machineries, personal protective equipment as well as investment in occupational safety and health training.
“Companies and employers must regard occupational safety and health as part of their corporate responsibility and allocate a yearly budget for safety education and training,” he said after presenting certification to Politeknik Sultan Ahmad Shah in relation to good occupational health and safety management system.
“If accidents occur, lives may be lost, productivity will be affected and employers will endure greater losses in terms of work stoppage, medical costs and compensation,” Lee said.
He said employees should be assured of their rights to a safe and healthy working environment and there was a need to provide them with the necessary information, education and training.
“Making the workplace safe is a joint responsibility of both employers and employees,” he said.
He said an accident prevention strategy should be adopted by all companies.
“It is pertinent that safety and health education should begin as early as possible and then continuously throughout to inculcate a safety culture among Malaysians,” said Lee.
news source: thestar.com.my
