Worker Safety is not a BN priority - Occupational Safety and Health is no more important - 90% Transportation Companies...90% Estates..

Occupational Health and Safety seems to be no longer important...and did the 746 workers who died in industrial accidents in Malaysia in 2008 because occupational safety and heath requirements and standards were not met?

Now, we are told that about 90% of transportation companies in Malaysia are not even bothered about Occupational Health and Safety matters...

A few weeks ago, we were told that 90% estates in Malaysia fails to meet Occupational Safety and Health standards ...

I wonder why the UMNO-led BN Governments just shut down these companies until they comply with the required Occupational Safety and Health standards and requirements.

Remember the 7 workers who died in the Jaya Supermarket Demolition - was also a case of 'illegal' demolition - done without getting the required approval of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (see also PJ Local Council's responsibility in the death of 7 Jaya Supermarket incident cannot be ignored...)

The Department of Occupational Safety and Health did not give approval for the demolition of the Jaya Supermarket in Petaling Jaya, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam...Dr Subramaniam said the department began its investigations on Monday and it would take about two weeks to complete.

“If there is any element of negligence, the engineers, contractors and the proprietor of the building can be fined RM50,000, jailed up to two years, or both, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act for each offence,” he told a press conference after launching a Small-Medium Enterprises training fair at a hotel yesterday.

On May 28, the five-storey portion of the supermarket building collapsed right to the basement during demolition work.

Seven workers died in the incident. - Star, 3/6/2009, Jaya Supermarket demolition done without approval

- Have the company been charged yet? Have they Directors been charged? - They have also been 'protected' - the names have been kept 'secret' away from the press...

Only 10% of the 267 transportation companies audited by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) last year paid heed to occupational safety and health issues.

DOSH director-general Datuk Ir Dr Johari Basri described the situation as dismal and viewed as serious the low awareness level among transport operators, especially those running express buses.

“All operators and drivers must bear full responsibility to ensure that their co-drivers, passengers and the public are safe,” he added.

He said this in his speech read by DOSH deputy director-general (policy) Zabidi Datuk Md Adib at the opening of a seminar on enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and Safety, Health and Environment Code for the road transport sector here on Monday.

“The majority either did not have a system or were unaware of the need to develop a safe working culture while managing their companies,” Dr Johari noted.

Companies with more than 40 workers were required to form a safety committee, he added.

Speaking to reporters later, Zabidi said the department had issued notices to companies that had yet to draw up policies or set up safety committees so the management and workers could discuss safety issues.

“They were given a month to do the necessary, and I am happy to note that they have been cooperative,” he added.

Zabidi said 10% of the 23,087 vehicles involved in road accidents in Pahang were public transport vehicles such as stage and express buses, lorries, tankers and taxies.

To a question, Zabidi said although the link between the number of accidents and lack of awareness on safety issues was vague, undesirable things could still happen if workers’ health and vehicle safety were not managed properly. - Star,