SHAH ALAM: Strong collaboration between National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and institutions of higher learning can help promote and “communitise” good health and occupational safety (OSH) practices.
NIOSH chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the collaboration between the two parties would enable them to create awareness on the importance of OSH among the people and make it a culture.
“It is in line with the theme of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2019 — A Safe and Healthy Future of Work — where we need to focus on improving safety and health for young workers,” he said.
Lee said this at the International Occupational Safety Half Marathon (IOS Half Marathon) at the main campus of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
The run was organised by the UiTM Faculty of Chemical Engineering in collaboration with NIOSH. Also present were UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (development) Associate Professor Dr Mohd Fozi Ali, Dean of Faculty of Chemical Engineering Professor Dr Norazah Abd Rahman and NIOSH executive secretary Hanif Maidin.
Lee said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was also committed to ensuring a safe working environment for all employees by 2030 and to end all forms of child labour by 2025.
“According to ILO, some 541 million young workers aged between 15 and 24 account for more than 15 per cent of the world’s labour force and suffer up to a 40 per cent higher rate of non-fatal occupational injuries than adult workers,” he said.
He said the IOS Half Marathon was held in conjunction with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work or better known as “World OSH Day.”
It is celebrated annually on April 28 worldwide since 2003 as decided by ILO.
“It was initially organised to commemorate the victims of occupational accidents or those who suffer from workplace illnesses. ILO later changed its aim which is to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases,” Lee said.