Amendments introduce new obligations for workplace safety
Malaysia's Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 will take effect on June 1 after a two-year delay in its implementation, according to reports.
The legislation got the greenlight from Malaysia's Parliament in March 2022, but its passing did not include a commencement date until this week, Bernama reported.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong announced on Sunday that he signed the gazette for the new amendment to speed up the implementation and enforcement of the act.
Key amendments introduced in the legislation include the expanded coverage of workplace health and safety obligations to all employers in Malaysia, as the existing law only covers select industries, such a manufacturing, hospitality, and construction.
Penalties for employers breaching their duties under the amended law is also hiked from RM50,000 to RM500,000.
Safety coordinator required by law
According to Sim, the law also mandates employers to appoint a health safety coordinator in the workplace.
"Companies with five or more employees must appoint a coordinator… the enforcement of this act is highly anticipated by the occupational health and safety practitioner sector," he said as quoted by Bernama.
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This employee is expected to coordinate occupational safety and health issues at the workplace, according to reports.
Failure to appoint a coordinator will mean a fine of not more than RM50,000, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
OSH a 'critical element' for sustainability
The Malaysian Employers Federation said all occupational safety and health practitioners should discuss the latest amendments introduced in the legislation, The Sun reported.
"The new law will be fully guided by the philosophy of self-regulation, so all OSH practitioners must be fully appraised of its contents," MEF president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman said as quoted by the news outlet.
According to the MEF president, OSH is a "critical element" that employers need to consider to ensure business sustainability.
"The lack of attention to OSH may damage overall business performance. OSH is not just a legal requirement, but a responsibility shared between employers and employees," he said.