Introduction to Occupational Safety & Health

Practice flashcards covering key concepts, historical milestones, statistics, terminologies, and regulatory bodies in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).

What is the primary definition of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)?

A cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health, and welfare of people engaged in work.

What total number of occupational disease and poisoning reports were made to DOSH between 2011 and 2015?

14,186 reports

By what percentage did total industrial accidents in Malaysia decline between 2005 and 2015?

25% (declining from 51,829 in 2005 to 38,753 in 2015)

How did the occupational accident rate per 1000 workers in Malaysia change from 2005 to 2018?

It fell from 5.16 in 2005, to 3.68 in 2010, 2.81 in 2015, and 2.40 in 2018.

Which Malaysian sector reported the highest number of occupational accidents up to March 2021?

Manufacturing (1,240 total cases, including 1,172 NPD, 58 PD, and 10 deaths)

According to the 2017 impact data, what were the daily averages for accidents, fatalities, and disease/poisoning cases in Malaysia?

116 accidents per day, 2 fatalities per day, and 21 disease and poisoning cases per day

In the iceberg model of accident costs, what is the cost ratio between direct costs, uninsured costs, and miscellaneous costs?

Direct costs = RM 1, Uninsured costs = RM 5 - RM 50, Miscellaneous costs = RM 1 - RM 3

Who was appointed as the first Machinery Inspector in Malaysia in 1878?

Mr. William Givan

What was the first legal boiler enactment in Malaysia?

Selangor Boiler Enactment 1892

What legislation replaced the steam boiler enactments on 1st of January 1914?

Machinery Enactment of 1913

What was a major shortfall of the Machinery Ordinance 1953?

It had a shortfall in health aspects for workers because regulations on health were not fully enforced.

How did workforce coverage compare between the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 and OSHA 1994?

FMA 1967 covered only 24% of workers, while OSHA 1994 covers 90% of manpower.

How many sections and schedules will the OSH (Amendment) Act 2022 contain in total?

92 Sections and 5 Schedules

How is 'Safety' defined in safety terminologies?

The condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury or loss.

How is a 'Hazard' defined in safety terminologies?

A hazard introduces the potential for an unsafe condition, possibly leading to an accident.

How is 'Risk' defined in safety terminologies?

The probability or likelihood of a Hazard resulting in an accident.

How is an 'Incident' defined in safety terminologies?

Undesired circumstance that produces the potential for an accident.

How is an 'Accident' defined in safety terminologies?

An unplanned event, which could result in injury to persons, or in damage to plant and equipment or both.

According to the OSH goal pyramid, what is the main goal and what is its secondary effect?

Main goal: Encourage safe work environment. Secondary effect: Protection to co-workers, family members, employers, customers, suppliers, nearby communities, and public who are impacted by the workplace environment.

What major industrial disaster occurred on May 7, 1991, in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia?

The Bright Sparklers fireworks factory explosion (Bright Sparklers tragedy).

What three primary pillars explain why workplace accidents should be prevented?

Law (OSHA 1994), Economic (productivity, profitability, image, fines, damages, investigation time), and Morale (worker safety, rights awareness, assured welfare).

Which Malaysian government ministry is responsible for the occupational safety and health sector?

Ministry of Human Resource

What is the main role and vision of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)?

DOSH is responsible for administering and enforcing OSH legislations to ensure worker safety, health, and welfare, aiming to lead the nation in creating a safe and healthy work culture.

Which three primary legislations are enforced by DOSH?

Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, Factories and Machinery Act 1967, and Petroleum Act 1984 (Safety Measures).

What were the three specific targets of OSHMP2020?

Reduction in fatality rate to 4.36/100,000 workers, reduction in accident rate to 2.53/1000 workers, and an increase in reporting of occupational diseases and poisoning by 30%.

When was the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH) established and under what provision?

Established in 1995 in accordance with Section 8 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514).

What is the role of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)?

To complement DOSH by conducting OSH training and education, OSH promotion, and OSH-related research and development activities.

Under which act does the Social Security Organization (SOCSO) operate, and what is its primary protective function?

Employees' Social Security Act 1969; it provides employee compensation in the event of an employment injury.

What is the primary focus of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) regarding OSH?

Giving close attention to the safety and health of the construction industry workforce.

Which statutory bodies fall under the Ministry of Human Resources as shown in its organizational structure?

Social Security Organization (SOCSO), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Human Resource Development Fund, and Skills Development Fund Corporation.