Making the Workplace Safer

It is really outrageous to learn that the methanol tank that exploded was not emptied and tested for safe gas levels before those workers were allowed to commence their welding operations.

It seems that the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 needs to be amended so that only competent people are allowed to work in factories.

This act also does not include chemical plants and focuses more on cement and mining industries and one can compound offences for a miserly RM5000 maximum for a breach.

It is time for the Manpower Ministry to amend this act so that the factory owner is responsible for ensuring that safe working conditions are provided for all workers including contractors and that only certified and competent workers are used for any activity carried out on their premises.

The compound also needs to be graduated so that if serious injury or death occurs, the compound should be at least RM100,000 and or a jail term of at least one month; similar to the thoughts being given on dumping toxic wastes.

The only saving grace of this act is that under Section 47, civil and criminal liability remains unaffected so the families of the victims can sue the employers or owners.