_________________________________________________________________

FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN DAN BAHASA PROGRAM SARJANA MUDA

PENGAJARAN.

SEMESTER SEPTEMBER 2012

OUMH2203

ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

NAMA

NO.MATRIK

NO.KAD PENGENALAN

NO.TELEFON

E-mail

NAMA TUTOR

PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN :

OUM,PPW SARAWAK

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Content

Page

1.0

Introduction

02

2.0

Report On Occupational Safety Negligence At X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd.

03

3.0

Finding 1

04

4.0

Finding 2

06

5.0

Finding 3

07

6.0

Finding 4

08

7.0

Finding 5

09

8.0

Conclusion

10

References

13

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1.0

Introduction

Safety issue in the industry is a very important aspect that is needed before kicking off
their operations. The government will not allow any guys or to start their operations without
submitting safety and emergency plan. Furthermore, the insurance company of do not want to
give insurance policy to any company of which does not provide safety and emergency plans.
X-Fab Sarawak has created management system to cater the need to monitor
Environmental, Health and Safety Management System within the premise called EHS
Management System. It has integrated management system called PDCA (Plan, Do, Check and
Act). The Plans include EHS Policy, aspects & hazards assessment, legal register and objectives
& targets. The Do include roles, training, communication, EHS manual, operational control and
emergency response plan. The Check includes EHS performance monitoring, audit (internal &
external), non-conformance and corrective action. Lastly, the Act is the management review
X-Fab Sarawak has developed mission statement for emergency response will give top
priority to prepare its emergency response plan, as part of its moral responsibility towards its
employees, neighboring industries, the environment and the country. The scope of the emergency
response which include to provide for an organized response to chemicals, gases and medical
emergencies including spills, small fires, flood, CPR, first aid, and other incidents where the use
of specialized equipment is required. It is also includes to minimize the danger to personnel and
property and to prevent adverse impact on the environment through efficient emergency
management and to establish the role of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) in responding to
emergencies within X-Fab Sarawak.
A few findings related to the negligence of occupational safety were detected during a
tour within premise and it is important to address the issue to prevent accident related to the
negligence.

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2.0

Report On Occupational Safety Negligence At X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd.

TO

MANAGING DIRECTOR
X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd
1Silicon Drive
Sama Jaya Free Industial Zone
93350 Kuching, Sarawak

FROM :

NAMA PELAPOR
PENGURUS KESIHATAN PEKERJAAN
Honeywell Sarawak Sdn Bhd
6-2076 Bunga Orchid Road, Kuching

DATE :

26 OCTOBER 2012

Subject:

Report on occupational safety negligence at X-FAB Sarawak Sdn Bhd

3.0

Finding 1:
A few operators were detected not using proper personal protection equipment (PPE)

when handling various types of chemicals in substation. The PPE is designed to prevent/reduce
skin and eye contact as well as inhalation or ingestion of the chemical substance
The substances in the chemicals are dangerous because they can be inhaled depending on
the concentration and exposure duration. Without proper PPE, the chemical may enter through
either intact or abraded skin.
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Protective equipment to protect the body against contact with known or anticipated
chemical hazards has been divided into the four categories, Level A, B, C and D.
Level A protection should be worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, eye and
mucous membrane protection is needed.
Level B protection should be selected when the highest level of respiratory protection is
needed. Personnel under Level B are easier to secure by rescue lines. Level B protection is the
minimum level recommended on initial site entries until the hazards have been further identified
and defined by monitoring, sampling, and other reliable methods of analysis, and equipment
corresponding with those findings utilized.
Level C protection should be selected when the type of airborne substance is known,
concentration measured, criteria for using air-purifying respirators met, and skin and eye
exposure is unlikely. Periodic monitoring of the air must be performed.
Level D is primarily a work uniform and is used for nuisance contamination only. It
requires only coveralls and safety shoes or boots. Other PPE is based upon the situation (types of
gloves, etc.). It should not be worn on any site where respiratory or skin hazards exist.
The type of environment and the overall level of protection should be revaluated
periodically as the amount of information about the site increases and as workers are required to
perform different tasks.
There are circumstances where category should be upgraded or downgraded. Reasons to
upgrade to a higher level are such as known or suspected presence of dermal hazards, occurrence
or likely occurrence of gas or vapor emission, change in work task that will increase contact or
potential contact with hazardous materials and request of the individual performing the task.
On the other hand, reasons to downgrade are such as new information indicating that the
situation is less hazardous than was originally thought, change in site conditions that decreases
the hazard and change in work task that will reduce contact with hazardous materials

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4.0

Finding 2:
It was observed that a few newly arrived corrosive and oxidizer gas cylinders were left

unattended under the heat of the sun. This is very wrong way of handling pressurized cylinder
because the pressurized cylinder must be stored in a cylinder storage area. The cylinder storage
area is designed for fire resistant, well ventilated, away from ignition source or excessive heat
and, dry and shaded where extreme temperatures are prevalent.
The full-filled pressurized cylinder gas represents a significant amount of store energy.
Sudden release of this store energy can be very hazardous and can result in significant damage to
operators and the surrounding.
Leaving pressurized gas cylinder under the heat of the sun may increase the pressure in
the cylinder. There are two types of hazards involved when the pressurized gas cylinder did not
properly taking care of. The first hazard is the cylinder may explode and it may result in serious
injurious or lethal effects to operators nearby. In some cases, it may bring fatality. The other
hazard involve is the release of hazardous or poisonous chemical gas after the explosion into
atmosphere. The effects of the harmful gas become great because it involves larger area and
more people will be exposed by the harmful gas.
It is very important to make sure operators who are handling pressurized gas cylinder
have been certified with Gas Safety Training provided and must be certified in every year.
It is proposed that the handling of pressurized gas cylinder should be done in well
ventilated and away from source of heat room, other than leaving the cylinder under direct heat
from the sun. There is a room near to the logistic area where the pressurized gas cylinder can be
stored before distribution. The modification of the room did not require huge amount of money
and yet, the safety of operators and the companys operation did not jeopardized.

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5.0

Finding 3:
During the tour, there was Gas Detection System or GDS alarm went out. It is surprised

to observe that there are many operators seem like do not know what to do in that situation. In
general response, when the GDS alarm suddenly went out, all personnel must evacuate the room
immediately. All personnel must not panic during evacuation, proceed to nearest Emergency Exit
and do not run. Instead, walk quickly. Do not use passenger or BOMBA lift and proceed to
Muster Station/Point where safety officer in-charge will do head count.
The GDS alarm is designed to detect potential hazardous gas leak in room and other
hazardous area in order to ensure a safe working environment. It must be tested more frequently
in order to make sure the alarm function properly. It is suggested that the alarm should be tested
once in a day, especially for dangerous gas tank and its pipelines.
Understanding material is very important before handling the material. All information
about particular material can be obtained from Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS. MSDS
gathered all information of all materials or products which include information about the product
identification, hazard identification, fire fighting measure, handle and storage, physical and
chemical properties, and transportation information. It also covers the composition or
information on ingredients, first aid measure, accidental release measures, exposure control/
personal protection as well as toxicological information.

6.0

Finding 4:
During evacuation, it was observed that there is no signage of escape route leaving

personnel running in the dark. As a result, some personnel took different route and end-up
entering dead end. The escape route must have clear and proper signage to indicate which route
to take in case of emergency. There are signage KELUAR were badly vandalized and not
being repaired.
The response from Emergency Response Team (ERT) members was also very slow. It
took nearly 40 minutes for them to suit up and investigate the alarm. The commander of the ERT
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must go to facility control called Facility Monitoring and Control System or FMCS to gather
information about the alarm. The commander makes the critical decisions in an emergency,
usually after some consultation and fact findings. He/She also has responsibility to organize all
the members in the team.
Meanwhile, Strike Force and Decon team must gather at ERT room and wait for
instructions from the commander. The tasks of Strike Force team are to be properly attired with
PPE to do the rescue work, containment work and recovery work. Decon team on the other hand
will use items on decon cart to decontaminate the strike force team as they return from
contamination area. They are also taking care of decontamination wastes. The wastes will be
stored at assigned room before disposed properly by specialized team.

7.0

Finding 5:
It is observed that there is someone has been working at confined space without

proper PPE with no valid work permit. Confined Space means a space which is not intended as a
regular workplace (i.e. continuous employee occupancy), has restricted means of entry or exit,
and it is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned
work.
In addition, this space contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere and
contains material (solid or fluid) that has potential for engulfing an entrant. It also has an internal
configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls
or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section. Some of the confined
space also contains any other recognized serious safety and health hazards such as rotors
By any means, work permit must be applied prior to any confined space activities. The
confined space work permit shall always be displayed at the entrance of confined space where
work is to be performed.
Any person who are involved and enter the confined space or serve as stand-by persons
must undergo training of confined space safety program approved by the Department of
Occupational Safety and Health. Refresher training of confined space safety program must be

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conducted at appropriate intervals but not more than two years and the program must be
approved by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
8.0

Conclusion
Industrial accidents normally have adverse short-term as well as long-term consequences

affecting life, life support systems, property and social structure. There is thus a need for an
adequate and effective emergency management system. Extent of losses depends largely on the
first responder to the emergency within the facility and the community around it. In X-Fab
Sarawak, all employees are trained to be first responders.
Emergency management in 1st Silicon addresses natural and man-made hazards and
incorporates five parts, Prevention programs, Preparedness programs, Mitigation programs,
Response programs and Recovery programs.
Prevention programs are designed to prevent or mitigate the effects of emergencies and
include measures such as building codes, building use regulations, zoning and land use
management, public education, legislation, and tax and insurance incentives and disincentives.
Preparedness programs are designed to ensure that individuals and agencies will be
ready to react effectively once emergencies have occurred, and include measures such as
emergency plans, mutual aid agreements, resource inventories, warning procedures, training
exercises and emergency communications systems.
Mitigation programs are designed to timely control the sudden event such that it does
not develop to a stage when emergency response must be activated.
Response programs are designed to combat emergencies when they have occurred, and
include measures such as the implementation of emergency plans, activation of emergency
operations centers, mobilization of resources, issuance of warnings and directions, evacuation,
provision of medical and social services assistance, and declaration of emergencies as enabled by
appropriate legislation.
Recovery programs are designed to help restore the environment or communities to
their pre-emergency condition, and include measures such as physical restoration and
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reconstruction, economic impact studies, counseling, financial assistance programs, temporary

housing and health and safety information.
These programs are constantly been reviewed to keep abreast with the latest emergency
procedures.
Post emergency program complements the emergency plan. It includes provisions for
clean-up, safe storage and disposal of contaminated material, decontamination (ventilation) of
contaminated environment.
Consideration is to be given to the following: Removal of damaged equipment, materials
and facilities from use until they are repaired or disposed of, prompt repair of repairable
equipment, materials and facilities, undertake waste control measures to salvage or reclaim all
possible value from damaged items, consideration of other control measures e.g. compensation
claims control and liability claims control, prompt and effective rehabilitation of injured
employees and review and revision of the plan, if necessary
The ERT consists of personnel from Manufacturing Operations and Facilities with
support from representatives of long-term contractors who are specialized in Hazardous
Production Materials (HPM) handling. In addition, there are groups in the Strike Force Team
specially trained in the use of Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for gas leak response
and fire squad trained by the local BOMBA. Training by HAZMAT specialists also likely to be
involved in responding is encouraged to ensure a unified response. To provide sufficient back-up
for its 24 hours production, X-Fab Sarawaks emergency response is supported by four groups
of more than 50 members per group covering all shifts. The roster is changed every three months
based on the shift change pattern.
ERT members are assigned tasks as per their responsibilities. Personnel are not assigned
tasks as they are not trained in emergency response except in first response. It is very important
for every member of ERT undergo safety training in every six months. There are three types of
basic training skills needed such as Skill Training, Competency Training and Emergency
Response Team.

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In Skill Training, it is important to have Chemical Safety Training, Job Hazard Analysis,
Personal Protective Equipment Training and DuPont STOP for Supervision. In Competency
Training, the ERT members should be learning Authorized Gas Tester Training for working in
confined space.
Lastly, the Emergency Response Team training program must cover Basic ERT Training,
First Aid Training, ERT Practical training (such as SCBA, Level A, B, C and D chemical suits)
and Basic Fire Fighting Exercise.
X-Fab Sarawak also exercises fire drill in yearly event. The main purpose of the drill is to
develop awareness on how to response to fire drill. In addition, ERT will have opportunity to
sharpen their skills towards putting hazards under control in shortest time possible.
There are three types of hierarchy of hazard control. The most effective way is called
elimination. It is simply removing the hazards from workplace. Next, fairly effective way which
include substitution (by replacing the hazard with less hazard), isolation (by separating the
hazards from general work area), engineering control (it may include modifications of design)
and reduction (which means to reduce the usage of chemical, water, electricity etc.).
The last control is called least effective which can be categorized into two parts;
administrative control which include work practices that reduce risk. Examples of administrative
controls are such as training, Standard Operating Procedure or SOP, signage and procedures etc.
The second part is Personal protective equipment or PPE. The PPE should only be considered
when other control is not practicable. Examples of PPE available in the premise are such as
glove, respirator, goggles, SCBA etc.

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References:
1. PPE Matrix
http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/Lists/PPE%20Program1/By%20Department.aspx

2. Safety 1-2-3
http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/EHS%20Training%20Materials/EHS%20Recertification
%202010%20-%20Safety%201-2-3.pdf

3. Drill exercise
http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/Drill%20Exercises/Fire%20Drill%20%20Report%20%20April%202010.pdf

4. Emergency Response Team (ERT)

http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/EHS_Details/Emergency%20Response%20Team
%20(ERT).aspx

5. EHS Training Program

http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/EHS_Details/EHS%20Training%20Program.aspx

6. EHS Legal and Other Requirements

http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/EHS_Details/EHS%20Legal%20and%20Other
%20Requirements.aspx

7. Gas and Chemical List

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http://sp.kch.xfab.de/EHSLocal/Lists/MSDS%20List/Master%20List%20for%20Gases
%20%20GDS.aspx

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