Niosh perturbed over spike in industrial, commuting accidents

KOTA KINABALU: The number of industrial and commuting accidents nationwide over a five-year period since 2012 is worrying, says National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said according to statistics from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), the number of industrial accidents recorded a 0.02% increase from 35,296 cases in 2012, to 35,304 cases last year.
The number of accidents involving workers commuting between home and workplace was more worrying, having recorded a 19% increase from 26,256 cases in 2012 to 31,314 cases last year, he added.
"This is a matter of concern, which has been expressed by the Human Resources Minister (Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem), and this is a matter for which the minister has directed NIOSH and Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and all relevant agencies under the ministry to give serious attention.
"Of course, it cannot be done without the participation of the employers because employees who work in a factory or in a small industry, their mode of transport very often is the motorcycle," he told reporters after the opening of the fifth Borneo Conference and Exhibition on Occupational Safety and Health here today.
Lee estimated more than 60% of road accidents in the country resulting in death involved motorcyclists.
"Every day, there are about 20 people dying on our roads nationwide and most of them are motorcyclists," he said.
He said NIOSH, DOSH and Perkeso would continue to work with employers and state governments to promote road safety awareness, which would also involve the Road Safety Department. — Bernama