KUCHING: The state Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is set to launch a three-month-long enforcement operation aimed at improving workplace safety and health in the agriculture sector.
The operation, which will run from April 14 to June 16, is aimed at enhancing the level of occupational safety and health (OSH) at workplaces and will take legal action against employers who fail to comply with the legislation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
According to the Director of DOSH Sarawak, Dr Nor Halim Hasan, the operation will be carried out comprehensively in all agriculture workplaces in Sarawak.
“The main focus will be on ensuring safe operating procedures based on risk assessment for hazardous work in the fields are complied with, including the use of farm vehicles and equipment for agricultural activities.
“Based on past accident cases, among the work activities that contributed significantly to accidents in the agriculture sector were fruit-picking and harvesting in areas with high-voltage cables, the use of tractors to gather farm produce, and earth excavation and clearing activities on the farm,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Nor Halim highlighted that the agriculture sector is the second-highest in terms of workplace fatalities in Sarawak, following the manufacturing sector, with four fatal accidents recorded in 2022, two in 2021, and nine in 2020.
“For permanent disability accidents, three cases were reported in 2022, followed by two cases in 2021 and four cases in 2020.
“Meanwhile, 85 non-permanent disability accidents were recorded in 2022, 77 in 2021, and 106 in 2020.
“Out of these records, four cases have resulted in prosecution in court, with a total penalty of RM 60,500.00, and three cases were subjected to compound fines with a total value of RM 45,000.00,” he added.
He emphasised that strict legal action will be taken against those responsible if violations are found under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
“The department takes every accident seriously and urges all employers to improve workplace safety and health, especially during festive seasons,” he noted.
He also stressed that all stakeholders at all levels need to cooperate and work together to create a safe, healthy, and conducive environment at all workplaces.
