CHAPTER

EMPLOYEE SAFETY &

HEALTH

HRM Principles & Practices (Second Edition)

Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd. (008974-T), 2011

All Rights Reserved

Chapter 9
71

PREVIEW

The provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health

Act which affect employers.

The importance of encouraging safe work practices and

healthy lifestyles amongst employees.

The need for a planned programme to reduce violence

at the workplace.

Programmes and activities which can improve the health

and wellness of employees.

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Chapter 9 2

Health, Safety, and Security

Health

Safety

A general state of physical, mental, and

emotional well-being.
A condition in which the physical well-being of
people is protected.

Security

The protection of employees and organizational

facilities.
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9 3

THE HEAVY COST OF

ACCIDENTS

Medical bills

Wages of workers on medical leave

Damage to equipment and materials

Overtime work

Employee replacement costs, in case of

fatal accident

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Chapter 9 4

Contd...

Time cost of supervisors, management

and colleagues

Lowered morale of employees

Poor public image

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Chapter 9 5

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

Technical causes

Human causes

Environmental causes
Causes of Accidents, 2007
Cause

Percentage

Struck by object

50

Falls

27

Caught in object

12

Struck by falling object

10

Cause

Percentage

Exposed to extreme
heat, electricity or other
dangerous substance,
including radiation

Source: SOCSO
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Chapter 9 6

Contd...
Employees problems lead to accidents:

Faulty attitudes

Nervousness

Impulsiveness

Faulty

Low attention span

and fear

judgement of
speed and distance

Irresponsibility

Worry

and depression

Drinking and drug

abuse

Fatigue

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Chapter 9 7

Common Signs of Substance Abuse

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98

EMPLOYEE HEALTH ISSUES

Common health hazards at work include:

Use of organic chemicals and toxic substances

Fumes, dust and smoke

Radiation

Infection

Noise and vibration levels

Extreme temperatures
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Chapter 9 9

Other Employee Health

Concerns
Emotional/
Emotional/
Mental
MentalHealth
Health
Concerns
Concerns

Obesity
Obesity

Workplace
Workplace
Health
Health
Issues
Issues

Workplace
Workplace
Air
Air

Smoking
Smoking
at
atWork
Work
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9 10

Health Promotion

Health Promotion

A supportive approach of facilitating and

encouraging healthy actions and lifestyles
among employees.

Wellness Programs

Programs designed to maintain or improve

employee health before problems arise.
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9 11

Contd

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Program that provides counseling and other

help to employees having emotional,
physical, or other personal problems.

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9 12

Health Promotion Levels

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9 13

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

SAFETY & HEALTH AT WORK?
Everyone is responsible for safety and
health at work, especially:
The

Department of Occupational Safety and

Health (DOSH)
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Employers
Employees
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Chapter 9 14

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

AND HEALTH ACT (OSHA)
To ensure the safety and health of
persons at work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Act 1994, lays down
a number of requirements which must
be complied with by employers and
employees.

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Chapter 9 15

SAFETY POLICIES
All employers with more than 5 employees
are required under OSHA to:

Draft a SAFETY POLICY

Communicate it to employees

Revise it as necessary

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Chapter 9 16

APPOINTMENT OF A QUALIFIED SAFETY

OFFICER

Employers in designated
industries are required under
OSHA to employ a qualified
safety officer.

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Chapter 9 17

Contd...
Appointment compulsory in high-risk
industries:

Building and engineering construction

Ship building (with more than 100 workers)

Gas and petroleum (with more than 100 workers)

Chemical industry (with more than 100 workers)

Metal industry (with more than 100 workers)

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Chapter 9 18

Contd...

Wood working industry (with more than 100

workers)

Cement industry (with more than 100

workers)

Other manufacturing industries (with more

than 500 workers)

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Chapter 9 19

QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICERS

A qualified safety officer is one who is
registered with DOSH.
To be eligible for registration, the applicant
must have:
a recognized diploma in OSH, or

a minimum of 10 years experience in OSH, or

have completed a training programme in OSH

recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource.
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Chapter 9 20

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY
COMMITTEE
OSHA requires all employers with 40 or more
employees to appoint a SAFETY COMMITTEE.
The committee must meet at least once in 3
months. Minutes must be kept.
The committee members must be provided with
safety training by their employer.

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Chapter 9 21

Contd...
The functions of the committee include:
Establishing policies on safety & health
matters, including the setting of rules and
regulations.
Conducting an inspection of the workplace,
at least once in 3 months.
Analyzing records on accidents and health
problems.
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Chapter 9 22

Contd...

Investigating accidents and unsafe

conditions and making recommendations to
prevent similar occurrences.

Planning and executing safety and health

awareness programmes.

Recommending the purchase of suitable

safety equipment, where relevant.
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Chapter 9 23

REPORTING ACCIDENTS
Accidents have to be reported to the relevant
authorities:
When

a Malaysian worker is involved in an

accident, or occupational disease, his employer
must report to SOCSO and DOSH.

When

a foreign worker is involved in an

accident, or occupational disease, his employer
must report to the Labour Department and the
relevant insurance company.
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Chapter 9 24

Typical Division of HR Responsibilities:

Health, Safety, and Security

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925