Many work-related casualties occur at construction sites, says Johor DOSH

PETALING JAYA (July 10): The Johor Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has called on construction companies in the state to be more proactive about the safety conditions of their workers.

Johor DOSH director Saiful Azhar Mohd Said revealed that of the 26 work-related casualties recorded in the first six months of this year in the state, 16 took place at construction sites, with 80% of deaths at the construction sites involving foreign workers, The Star reported.

The rest of the casualties took place at factories and plantations

Saiful also said that Johor recorded 45 casualties at work sites last year, with 27 cases taking place at construction sites.

“Most of the cases for 2017 and 2018 took place in Iskandar Malaysia due to the many on-going property development projects in the economic region,” The Star reported him saying at the Johor DOSH Hari Raya open house in Johor Bahru.

He said most of the cases occurred due to workers’ carelessness or negligence of employers who do not focus on the safety of their workers.

“Those in charge of the construction sites or activities must ensure their workers are not exposed to any danger while on duty,” Saiful said.

He explained that “it was a requirement that for a project worth more than RM20 million, the company must have an in-house safety and health officer while a site safety supervisor was a must for a project costing below RM20 million”.