A Preliminary Study on Industrial Safety Management in Malaysia: The Viewpoints of Safety Experts and Practitioners
After independent in 1957, Malaysia economy has moved from agricultural based commodity to middle income economy. However, the economy development and industrialization sometimes predominates over workers and societal needs for safer and healthier life. Due to the complexity of industrial process...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AENSI
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/10892/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/10892/ http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/10892/1/A%20Preliminary%20Study%20on%20Industrial%20Safety%20Management%20in%20Malaysia-%20The%20Viewpoints%20of%20Safety%20Experts%20and%20Practitioners.pdf |
| Summary: | After independent in 1957, Malaysia economy has moved from
agricultural based commodity to middle income economy. However, the economy
development and industrialization sometimes predominates over workers and societal
needs for safer and healthier life. Due to the complexity of industrial process and use of
hazardous chemicals, hazards to cause harms in future seem to be unpredictable and
frightening. Indeed, the implementation of an effective safety management is of
paramount importance. Thus, this article discusses the result of an open-ended
interview with safety experts and practitioners on the current practice of safety
management in Malaysia. The interview was focused on four factors, namely,
organization, institution, legislation, and technology. These factors are selected due to
the fact that they are closely relevant to the local condition and local instruments. The
group of respondents in this study consists of respective personnel from various
organizations such as industry, government agencies, academic institution, and nongovernmental
organization (NGO’s). Objective: The purpose of this paper is to provide
researchers, government agencies and independent bodies an overview on industrial
safety management in Malaysia from the viewpoints of safety experts and practitioners.
In addition, this paper will also highlight the respondent’s initial opinions towards the
establishment of cooperative network for safety management in the context of
Malaysia’s industrial estate. Results: From the overall interview’s result, the
management commitment and awareness, strengthening the legal mechanism and
institutional structure, and encouraging the use and development of safety-embedded
technology are among the concerns that need to be focused on. In addition to this, the
financial support also plays a vital role in order to assist industry to further improve
their safety management practice. Furthermore, the respondents have also responded to
the idea of establishing a cooperative relationship to further enhance the safety
management at the macro level of industrial estate instead of at the individual firm.
Most of them basically agreed with the approach whereby it is an innovative step
towards betterment of safety management system. Conclusion: These findings are
based on experts and practitioner’s opinion and their personal’s point of views.
Therefore, from this result, further exploration is unavoidable and in-depth study ought
to be carried out in order to come out with a clearer picture. Besides, in relation to the
establishment of cooperative network for safety management, this approach is not
straightforward and we need to look at several issues and obstacles which may hinder
this movement. This is due to the fact that Malaysia has the uniqueness in term of its
multi-ethnic culture, political status quo, legislations, technological strength and
readiness of industry to partake in this initiative. Thus, more comprehensive and indepth
study is needed in future to come. |
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