LECTURE 4

WORKPLACE SAFETY ISSUES

HDB 2123 Workplace Safety in Malaysia

COURSE SYNOPSIS
Introduction
Definition of workplace & the purpose of creating a safe workplace
Knowing about workplace hazards
Workplace safety issues in Malaysia
Malaysian legislation for securing OSH & welfare of
people at workplace
HIRARC guidelines developed by DOSH
Providing and maintaining safe machines & systems for employees
Organizing the safe use of dangerous goods & hazardous chemicals
Managing & controlling hazards
610 deaths in 2013
January to September 2015
Occupational Accidents Statistics by Sector for January 2016
Causes of Accidents_Construction

Moving construction equipment

strikes or runs over workers

Other non-classified accidents:

structure collapse, electrocution,
fire, drowning, explosion and
toxification.
Causes of Accidents_Manufacturing
 January to September 2015

112 deaths till 3rd quarter of 2015

January to September 2015
January to September 2015
January to September 2015
Occupational Accidents Statistics by State for January 2016
January to September 2015
January to September 2015
January to September 2015
 Electrocution

Explosion Caught between object

Confined Space
Drowning
Crushed by object
Falling from heights
Landslide
Falling Object
No. 1 - Falling from heights
No. 2 - Crushed by object
No. 3 - Caught between object
No. 4 - Falling Object
No. 5 - Electrocution
No. 6 - Drowning
No. 7 - Confined Space
No. 8 - Landslide
No. 9 - Explosion
ANALYSIS (Fatalities Jan to Sept2015)
ANALYSIS (% Fatalities Jan to Sept2015)

not clear, unknown

factors, require further
investigation
 No Safe Work/Operating Procedures
(SOP)
Lack of Preventive Maintenance
Lack of Supervision
Lack of Competency/Training
Unsafe Act
Unsafe Working Condition
No/Inadequate PPE/Safety Sign
Factors that may influence the effectiveness
of safe work culture

J. AppliedSci., 10(5): 425-430, 2010

 A structured guidance document that
details a series of steps for achieving
an expected outcome

Example SOPs that can be found in a

workplace:
- Identification of hazards SOP
- Manual handling SOP
- Handling of hazardous chemicals SOP
- Handling of dangerous goods SOP
- Operation of high risk machines SOP
- Risk assessment SOP
- Spill response SOP
- Emergency evacuation SOP
 It allows the workers to logically and safely perform processes
(prevents accidents/injuries)
To perform a job/task/work properly
To ensure the work/process operations are performed consistently
To ensure that works/processes continue uninterrupted & are
completed on a prescribed schedule
To ensure that no failures occur in manufacturing and other
processes
To ensure that approved procedures are followed in compliance with
company and government regulations
To serve as a training document
To serve as a checklist for workers
To serve as an explanation in review of accidents investigations
 Is the task safety critical?

Use a step by step procedure

No Yes
Is the task highly complex?

No Yes

Is the task rarely performed?

No Yes

Is the user inexperienced?

No Yes

Use a job aid such as a

checklist, diagram or
flowchart
 By individuals knowledgeable with the activity and
subject matter experts

By an individual who performs the tasks routinely or

someone who is responsible for the performance of the
task such as .
- those who will perform the job
- those who will perform maintenance on equipment involved
- engineers or others who design the equipment / processes
- safety personnel
- technical personnel
- equipment manufacturers
The content of a SOP should include
the following:

Title page Purpose

Company logo Scope
Header with title of SOP Responsibilities &
Department name accountabilities
Effective date Footer
Revision date - signatures
Review date (prepared by, checked by,
Page number approved by)
Regulatory basis Stamp
Reference documents - (department/company)
Failure to Follow Procedure
Why Fail to Follow Procedure
 Why Procedure Fail

 Summary - Issue of Workplace Safety
Trend of workplace accidents show reduction though
number still alarming
Risky sector:
Construction
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Transport / Commuting
Root cause
Human Ineffective/Lack of SOP & training
Inadequate PPE / Signage
Important - to reduce accidents:
Management role
Safety training
Anticipation of hazards