DKK11313

Introduction to Occupational
Safety

Topic 1: Introduction to OSH

DKKP, Kolej TESDEC 07/2018/Rev00

 Learning Outcome

At the end of the lesson, student should be able

to:-
• Define important terminologies in OSH
• Discuss the history of OSH
• Determine the importance of OSH in industry
• Classify the OSH requirement by
international and national organizations
 Learning Scope
• Definition of terminologies in OSH
• History of OSH
• The importance of OSH in industry
– International
– National
• OSH requirement
– International organizations
– National organizations
 Definition of Terminologies

1) Safety
The condition of being safe; freedom from danger, risk or
injury or the state of being safe from the risk of
experiencing or causing injury, danger, or loss1.
1. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company
Definition of Terminologies

2) Health
A state of complete
physical, mental
and social well-
being and not
merely the absence
of disease
or infirmity2.

2. World Health Organization, WHO

 Definition of Terminologies
3) Occupational
Relating to,
or engagement in a particular
occupation1.

4) Occupational Safety and

Health
A multidisciplinary field concer
ned with the safety, health,
and welfare of people at work2
.
1. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
2. (https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/occupational+safety+and+health)
 Definition of Terminologies

5) Hazard
source or a situation with
a potential for harm in
terms of human injury or
ill health, damage to
property, damage to the
environment or a
combination of these1

1. (HIRARC Guideline, DOSH Malaysia)

 Injury/ Illness

Hazard

Property Damage Environmental Damage

 Definition of Terminologies
*Hazard (source/situation) causes
injury or accident (risk)
Source: https://mgt1023ehs.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/5mile.png?w=560
Any hazard and risk?
 Any hazard and risk?
Fall / slip
Others:
Broken bones
Fatality
Concussion

Walking without focusing

Inappropriate footwear
Wet floor
 Definition of Terminologies
Performance of a task or other
activity that is conducted in a
manner that may threaten the health
and/or safety of workers.
6) Act
Example: Lack of or improper use of
PPE, Failure to tagout/lockout,
operating equipment at unsafe
Unsafe speed
A condition in the workplace that is
likely to cause property damage or
injury
7) Condition
Example: Poor housekeeping,
uneven walking surfaces, poor
ventilation
Unsafe act or unsafe condition?
Unsafe act or unsafe condition?
Unsafe act or unsafe condition?
Unsafe act or unsafe condition?
 Definition of Terminologies
8) Near Miss
An unplanned event that has the potential to cause, but
DOES NOT actually result in injury, environmental or
equipment damage, or an interruption to normal
operation1.

9) Accident
An unexpected and undesirable event which resulted
injuries/illness to people and/or damage (loss) to assets
and the environment1.

1. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
 History of OSH (International) Harry McShane,
child labour in 1908
had his arm ripped
off from the
shoulder and
broken leg with no
compensation

1473 1713
Mid – late 1802
Ellenborg Ramazzini 1700s (18th
(German 1556 (father of The UK’s
century) 1972
physician) Agricola occupational Factory Act
published (German medicine) Industrial arose out of Lord Alfred
first known scholar) suggested Revolution in concerns Robens
pamphlets on described the that Britain over poor (Chairman of
occupational diseases of diagnosis Industrial health among Royal Safety
disease of miners doctors accident children and Commission
gold miners (recommended should ask arose out of women Report)
(symptoms & ventilation) patients Factory working in
metal fumes about their System cotton mills
control) occupations.

Domestic System Factory system

 History of OSH (International)
• In 1972 , Lord Robens, Chairman of a Royal
Safety Commission Report noted that:
•too many OSH legislation,
•Fragmented (disorganized, disunified),
•limited in coverage (specific hazards & workplace),
•out of date and difficult to update,
•Inflexible (not able to be changed),
•people thought safety was what government
inspectors enforced.

• Lord Robens recommended : Self regulation

 History of OSH (National)

• Important concept in OSHA 1994 is self regulation

(based on the Robens Report)
• Self-regulation: controlling of a process or activity by the
people or organization that are involved in it rather than
by an outside organization such as government.
(Gunningham, 2011)
 History of OSH (National)
• Enacted in Malaysia in 1994 after the 1991 Bright
Sparkler accident in Sungai Buloh
• Bright Sparklers Fireworks
Disaster
▪ 7th May 1991, Sg. Buloh
▪ Factory caught fire
▪ Huge explosion
▪ 26 died & >100 injured
History of OSH (National)
(Bright Sparklers Fireworks Disaster)
 Importance of OSH
To Company/Employer:

Improve quality & productivity Company’s reputation

Reduce absenteeism Reduce cost

 Importance of OSH
To Company/Employer:

Workers’
Direct cost
compensation

Training of
Cost
replacement workers

Repair of damaged
Indirect cost
property

These costs can Delayed schedule

be reduced!
 Importance of OSH
To Company/Employer:
THE REAL COSTS OF AN ACCIDENT

Direct costs are often just • Medical Bills

the “tip of the iceberg”.

Indirect costs can be 50

times or greater the direct
costs of injuries and
illnesses.
• Building & property damage
• Work delay & interruptions
• Hiring, training of new employees
• Overtime
 Importance of OSH
To Workers/Employees:

Avoid accident Prompt treatment

Worker’s comfort Improve morale Sufficient compensation

 OSH Requirement
International Level:

• Standard
• Code of Practice
• The 10 decent
work deficits
 OSH Requirement
National Level:
NCOSH

NIOSH
DOSH

SOCSO
• National • Department • National • Social
Council for of Institute of Security
Occupational Occupational Occupational Organization
Safety and Safety and Safety and
Health Health Health
 OSH Requirement
National Level:
• National Council for Occupational Safety and
Health (NCOSH), Malaysia.
– under Ministry of Human Resources
– a supreme body responsible for
determining the direction and policy of the State
– main objective; to have a continuous effort by the
government to ensure the safety, health and
welfare of employees in the workplace is secure
 OSH Requirement
National Level:
• Federal Bodies
– Department of Occupational Safety and Health
(DOSH)
• under Ministry of Human Resources
• responsible for the administration, execution and
enforcement of legislations related to occupational
safety and health of the country
 OSH Requirement
National Level:
• Federal Bodies
– National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
• assist employers and employees to manage
Occupational Safety and Health ( OSH ) in their
organization effectively.
• responsible as education (training provider) and
research centre
 OSH Requirement
National Level:
• Federal Bodies
– The Social Security Organization (SOCSO)
• Administer, execute & Enforce the Employees’ Social
Security Act 1969 and Employees’ Social Security
(General) Regulations 1971.
• Carries out accident prevention activities;
increasing safety awareness & occupational health
programs amongst employers & employee
 Conclusions
• There are 9 common terminologies in OSH.
• Internationally, OSH started with acknowledgement
of occupational diseases in 1473.
• Nationally, OSH Act 1994 was enacted in Malaysia
following the Bright Sparklers Firework Disaster.
• OSH have many benefits / importance to both
employers and employees.
• Internationally, ILO is the body that promotes OSH.
While nationally, OSH is promoted by NCOSH,
DOSH, NIOSH, and SOCSO, among others.
 References
• American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
Company.
• Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)
Malaysia.
• HIRARC Guideline, DOSH Malaysia.
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
~ Thank You For Your Attention ~

Any question?