NIOSH: Occupational injury cases down over last decade

KUCHING (Aug 24): There has been a reduction in cases of occupational injuries and fatal occupational injuries in Malaysia over the last decade, said National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen.

He said the rate of occupational injuries was 3.31 per 1,000 workers in 2012 and improved to 2.22 per 1,000 workers in 2022.

“As for the rate of fatal occupational injuries, it decreased from 4.64 workers per 100,000 back in 2012 to 2.06 workers per 100,000 in 2022,” he said at a NIOSH event in Penang yesterday.

He said there is still room for improvement to provide a safer and healthier working environment for all workers in the country.

The event saw Human Resource Minister Steven Sim launch the NIOSH Safety Passport programme for three electrical and electronics companies in Penang, namely Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd, Austria Technologie and Systemtechnik (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, and Ibiden Electronics Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

According to Chong, the programme is designed to increase the general awareness of the companies’ employees on workplace safety and health issues.

He said basic training courses on workplace occupational safety and health are provided for the employees and contractors of the three companies.

“As every company has different work environment, this programme is tailor-made to each individual company.

“With the implementation of the Safety Passport programme, it is hoped the rate of occupational accidents and injuries to employees can be reduced,” he added.

Chong pointed out that one of the focuses of the federal government is enhancing the standards of occupational safety and health for workers in Malaysia.

“It is not only an issue of employee wellbeing, as it also has a direct impact on the productivity and economic output of a company.”

He observed that the International Labour Organisation had estimated the total cost of occupational injuries and illnesses at RM3 trillion, which was approximately three per cent of the global gross domestic output.

With 99 per cent of these injuries and illnesses preventable, Chong hoped more companies would take up training courses provided by NIOSH so as to put all industries at a higher standard in terms of occupational safety and health.