New Straits Times Online, 3 October 2012

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the initiative would benefit Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributors aged between 40 to 55 years old.

"It will help the workers if they contract any non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

"This one-off benefit is made available free of charge for Socso members," he said at a press conference after officiating the Accident Prevention Seminar yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam added that this additional benefit was a good effort to encourage workers in creating awareness on their wellbeing.

"This is an advantage for employers as well, as healthy employees contribute to a more productive performance."

KUALA LUMPUR : STARTING Jan 1 next year, some 1.4 million private sector employees will enjoy free medical screening amounting to RM200 million, as announced by the prime minister in the 2013 Budget.

This sentiment was echoed by Socso chief executive officer Datuk K. Selvarajah who said the allocation was very much needed by the workers.

"Their health and safety must be given priority so the allocated amount from the 2013 Budget is very much appreciated."

Selvarajah said the workers could perform the check-up at all government hospitals and Socso's panel clinics.

Under the 2013 Budget, an allocation of RM19.3 billion was provided for healthcare management and development.

It is an increase of RM2 billion from the 2012 Budget. A portion of the money from the budget is for the free health screening for Socso contributors.

Apart from that, the allocated amount included RM20 million for 70 new 1Malaysia clinics and a RM100 million allocation to upgrade 350 clinics nationwide and to replace and buy 150 dialysis machines in government centres across the country.

Also present at the launch were Socso chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid and National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health executive director Rosli Hussin.

With the theme "Building a Culture of Commuting Accident Prevention for a Healthy and Safe Future", the seminar addressed the rising number of commuting accidents.

As of last year, the number of work-based accidents had decreased by 37 per cent from 95,006 accidents in 2000 to 59,897 accidents last year.

However, the percentage of commuting accidents rose by 26 per cent in the past 10 years. In view of that, prevention programmes would be implemented by Socso to minimise injuries.

New Straits Times Online, 28 October 2012

(From L to R): Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mr Yaw Seng Heng with Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Loo Took Gee; Deputy Director (Technical Services)of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Selangor, Ir Haji Anuar Mohd Mokhtar and Head Researcher, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Lt. M Syazwan Aizat Ismail.

IPOH: Seven employees of local companies, here, were honoured at the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Safety and Branch Service Awards 2012 recently.

Shamsudin Samui (Boustead Naval Shipyard), K. Mahendra Kumar (Hospital Fatimah), R. Tayalan (Lost World of Tambun), Arbain Ramli (UAC Bhd) and Soong Kok Hong (Choo Bee Metal Industries) received the MEF Safety Award. Michelle Soong and Tan Cheak Tong, who had served as volunteer committee members of MEF Perak branch for three consecutive years, received the MEF Service Award.

Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia director-general Datuk Dr Johari Basir was the guest-of-honour. He presented the awards to the recipients.

Johari said the federation had provided space for its members to exchange opinions on workplace safety and health issues.

"The government, through the department, has been providing information on occupational safety and health, enforcing the Act and Regulations that has been gazetted and assist in giving advice to employers and employees through programmes," he said.

Johari said employers should invest in safety and health at work while employees must take proactive steps to prevent accidents. By Diana Yeoh

New Straits Times Online, 12 October 2012

SICK BUILDING: New buildings, public buildings and air-conditioned buildings were found to have higher readings of formaldehyde, says study

(From L to R): Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mr Yaw Seng Heng with Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Loo Took Gee; Deputy Director (Technical Services)of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Selangor, Ir Haji Anuar Mohd Mokhtar and Head Researcher, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Lt. M Syazwan Aizat Ismail.

Building occupants in the Klang Valley reported a higher prevalence of illnesses such as fatigue, headaches and coughs compared to those in problematic buildings in Scandinavia. This shows that the reported cases of illnesses in the Klang Valley are at a critical level which could be affecting the health and productivity of building occupants, says a Nippon Paint study recently.

The Nippon Paint Indoor Air Quality Pilot Study is a collaborative effort between Nippon Paint (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and University Putra Malaysia (UPM) aimed at determining the indoor formaldehyde exposure and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs), and its impact on health among building occupants.

The research revealed that new buildings presented higher readings of formaldehyde compared to older buildings. Although the chemical readings were within the safe levels accepted by DOSH (Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia), it raises the question that the quality of materials used in buildings today poses a potential threat to the health of its occupants.

The research data was collected based on physical (questionnaires) and chemical monitoring (scientific equipment) of indoor contaminants in a building. The study which included public and private buildings found that air-conditioned buildings and homes have higher levels of formaldehyde compared to those that were not.

Public buildings surveyed included malls, libraries, museums, clinics and government offices, while private buildings covered homes and private offices. The study found that public buildings presented significantly higher levels of formaldehyde compared to private buildings.

Indoor air pollutants: Past researchers have categorised the side effects associated with the exposure to indoor air pollutants into three groups. First, Sick Building Syndrome refers to effects experienced by occupants without clinically diagnosed diseases found, while Building Related Illness refers to medically diagnosable diseases caused by building occupancy. The third category, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity refers to occupants who develop symptoms even with low levels of exposure.

Among the solutions discussed is the elimination of potential chemical sources followed by isolating the chemicals in a proper place away from heat. Discussions also suggested substituting materials which emit harmful chemicals with eco-friendly products.

Commenting on the study, Nippon Paint (M) Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Mr. Yaw Seng Heng said, “This pilot study is in line with our commitment to promote sustainability.”

The study covered the major population areas in the Klang Valley over a duration of two months where a total of 1,163 indoor air samples were collected and over 400 building occupants interviewed. By Khairul Khalid

Berita Harian Online, 12 September 2012

Operasi menyelamat mangsa yang tersepit di projek landasan MRT di Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, semalam.

Kuala Lumpur: Seorang pekerja maut selepas tersepit pada mesin alat pembinaan landasan Transit Aliran Massa (MRT) di Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, tengah hari semalam.

Dalam kejadian jam 11 pagi itu, mangsa, Muhamad Hanafi Abdullah, 23, dari Kedah dikatakan tersepit selama kira-kira satu jam, sebelum pekerja lain mendapatkan bantuan Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat. Penolong Pengarah Penguasa Bomba Kuala Lumpur, Azizan Ismail, berkata pihaknya hanya dimaklumkan berhubung kejadian itu jam 12 tengah hari iaitu lebih sejam selepas kejadian berlaku.

“Sejurus anggota penyelamat tiba di lokasi kejadian, pihak kami berjaya menarik keluar dan menyelamatkan mangsa menggunakan jentera tangga putar (TTL) sebelum mengejarkannya ke Klinik 1Malaysia berdekatan namun mangsa disahkan sudah meninggal dunia.

Maklumkan kejadian dengan segera

“Orang ramai perlu memaklumkan sesuatu kejadian dengan segera kepada pasukan penyelamat bagi mengelak sesuatu lebih buruk berlaku,” katanya ketika ditemui di lokasi kejadian, semalam.

Terkejut bunyi bising sebenarnya operasi menyelamat

Sementara itu, seorang pekerja swasta tidak menyangka bunyi bising di landasan projek MRT yang terletak bertentangan dengan dapur rumahnya sebenarnya operasi menyelamat pekerja tersepit.

Saksi kejadian yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Ida, 30 berkata, sebaik menjenguk keluar dari dapur rumahnya, dia ternampak sekumpulan pasukan bomba dan penyelamat sedang bertungkus lumus mengeluarkan mangsa yang tersepit.

“Saya dapat rakamkan sebahagian besar operasi menyelamat menggunakan telefon bimbit sehingga sebelum melihat pasukan paramedik memasang alat bantuan pernafasan dan menurunkan mangsa ke bawah dan mengejarkannya ke hospital,” katanya.