Letters

5 steps for workplace safety

LETTERS: Following the announcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), it has been noted that several states have decided not to implement the CMCO.

These states want to further assess the Covid-19 situation before fully reopening businesses.

Problems will arise for businesses if the states and the federal government have different policies and rules under the CMCO.

However, the rights of the states in determining when to open economic activities fully must also be respected.

Let us hope the matter can be resolved soon for a win-win situation. We need to bear in mind that health, safety and economic survival are all equally important.

For those states which are complying with the CMCO, the Alliance for Safe Community urges all industries and companies to ensure all employees can return to work safely to prevent the emergence of new Covid-19 cases.

Priority should be to make all workplaces safe from Covid-19 transmission, as required by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It is essential that all safety precautions are in place before work resumes.

As the saying goes, "Discretion is the better part of valour". It is wise to be careful and avoid unnecessary risks.

Employers should adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the Health Ministry and practise social distancing. Not all their staff should be back at the workplace. Some should still be working from home until the coast is clear.

Safety and health committees at all workplaces which have been mandated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) must focus on Covid-19 prevention in addition to the core duty which is to ensure safety and health at the workplace.In the fight against Covid-19, these committees should look into the following:

1. Ensuring all safety precautions are taken before restarting work.

2. Ensuring compliance with all SOPs at workplaces.

3. Identifying solutions and design safety features as well as safe work procedures as part of the new normal.

4. Ensuring adequate Personal Protective Equipment for use by all workers for the prevention of Covid-19 and accidents.

5. Promoting mental health literacy and awareness among all workers and educate them on ways to address mental health issues.

The war against Covid-19 is not over. We have not won the war yet. We must not let our guard down. In the final analysis, what is urgently needed in the fight against the coronavirus is people empowerment and self-regulation.

Employers and employees must fully understand the serious threat and danger of Covid-19 and take the initiative to keep themselves safe at all times.

The constant reminder from the Director General of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, about the importance of community empowerment to combat this pandemic is crucial and must be taken seriously.

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye,

Chairman, Alliance for Safe Community


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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