Implement ILO’s Code of Practice, Niosh chairman suggests to mine operators in Malaysia
BorneoPost Online, 5 December 2014 - by Peter Boon
SIBU: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) has suggested that mine operators in the country follow the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Code of Practice.
Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said this was important to safeguard the safety of workers and prevent recurrence of incidents such as the blast in Selantik coal mine in Pantu, which claimed four lives.
“But bear in mind, this is just a code of practice and not compulsory unless the government makes it otherwise.
“ILO had done many comprehensive researches with regard to work in mines, including coal mines over the years and came up with a code.
“Under the Code of Practice, in the planning and operation of a coal mine, all practical precautions should be taken not only to prevent explosions of flammable gas and coal dust but also in the event of an explosion, to limit its extension or spread.
“While the code of practice has no binding force and is not intended to supersede national laws or regulations, however, the value of the code lies in the fact that it embodies the knowledge and experience of many countries in safe operations of coal mines.
“Far more important, the code of practice makes provision on matters associated with coal mine safety which are related to ventilation, gas detection, emission of firedamp, source of ignition, coal dust and human factors.
“If you follow the code of practice, you can be assured that you have a safe working environment,” Lee told a press conference here yesterday.
He pointed out that ILO as far back as in 1950 introduced a model code of safety regulations for underground work in coal mines for guidance of governments and the coal mining industry.
His suggestion came in the wake of the coal mine explosion in Pantu, which killed four workers and injured dozens of others.
He added the safety of a mine depended largely on the extent to which the individuals in it – the management and workers alike – want it to be safe and are prepared to exert themselves to make it safe.
“The operators must have a very strong safety management system to ensure that all safety measures are looked into when workers are working in the mine.
“This is something that has to be looked into when they start their investigation.”
Lee stressed that employees must be given safety awareness and training with regard to working in the mine, adding that this was something he would like to suggest to local authorities.
Meanwhile, it was announced in the media recently that the Sarawak government was setting up a committee to investigate the mine blast.
Assistant Public Health Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil was quoted as saying the committee members would include representatives from state and federal agencies.
Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, on the other hand, had directed the coal mine to stop operations until the ongoing probe is completed.
Awang Tengah revealed that investigations into the disaster were now undertaken by the relevant agencies including the Mineral and Geoscience Department.
Lee welcomed the setting up of the committee but said what was more important was to get down to the real causes of the tragedy so as to work out steps to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.
He suggested that the report be made public.
“In the wake of the latest coal mine tragedy in Sarawak, it may now be timely for the relevant authorities to review the safe work practices and safety management systems of our existing coal mines and what needs to be done to prevent accidents and tragedies in the future,” he reiterated.
