PETALING JAYA: Poor living conditions and a lack of discipline among male workers may explain why men made up the victims in most workplace accidents last year, says a consortium of companies.
“They tend to be more playful, tired and lack focus while at work, as they tend to spend more time outside their dorm because it was not a conducive environment to live in,” said Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies president Callum Chen.
Women, on the other hand, were focused, disciplined and well-rested, he said, in reference to data from the Statistics Department that showed that more than four-fifths (84.2%) of the occupational injury cases last year involved men, compared with only 15.8% of female workers.
The department also found that there was an increase of 58.9% in occupational injuries last year compared with 2021.
In an interview, Chen said these occupational accidents affect production, quality and output.
“We worked with the employees’ team leaders and asked them what was lacking and what needed to be done.
“We sat down with them to define the criteria to ensure cleanliness, safety and health, while placing all the essential items required in their living quarters. We wanted to generate the right culture so that people would have discipline and carry out the necessary maintenance,” he added.
This effort included providing clean dormitories and office toilets.
“We have 29 apartments for our workers, which we make sure are checked and audited. When you set a certain standard, it becomes the norm.
“When they go back to a favourable environment, the workers will be well rested. This will translate into productivity and output as well as a safe and healthy working environment,” he added.
As Chen put it: “If you take care of your people, they will take care of you too.”
This was the philosophy adopted by the consortium in order to have a safe and healthy working environment, he said.
Chen, who the chairman of LH Plus Sdn Bhd, a manufacturer of plastic wares and products, said it was important for management to promote a good working culture.
The welfare of workers, inculcating discipline, communication, training and rewarding workers were crucial to ensure a smooth-running ecosystem, he added.
The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) said that the 59% increase in occupational injuries across 10 industries last year was “not surprising,” but it needed to be “viewed in the proper context.”
It said that the multiple lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 meant that no work was being done, hence, the lower number of injuries then.
When the industries restarted last year, workers resumed their tasks and the increase in injuries was compounded by the fact that foreign workers were sent home at the beginning of the pandemic and new unskilled workers were brought in, said Rehda.
These new workers had to be trained not only in their new roles but also in the health and safety aspects of their jobs, it added.
The association also said it hopes the 34,216 occupational injuries recorded last year were a resumption of a downward trend set in motion for the past 20 years as all industries, including construction, continued to focus on health and safety in the workforce.
SME Association president Ding Hong Sing said that occupational accidents tend to be fewer within SMEs (small and medium enterprises) compared with big manufacturing companies and factories.
“This is because big companies rely on heavy machinery,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Nivas Ragavan said the use of technology and automation played a crucial part in reducing accidents in workplaces.
“It’s time for industries to adopt technology and automation to minimise risk and enhance safety in high-risk environments.
“Industries must also have a thorough risk assessment. Employers should identify the types of assessment and mitigate the risks at workplaces, including recommending preventive measures,” he said.
For instance, there was the need for appropriate attire and protective gear in industries, and regular inspections to identify risks, he added.
Nivas said safety awareness was most important.
“This can be done via health and safety programmes for employees as well as checkups to reduce accidents due to illness,” he said.
