KUANTAN, Malaysia -- Only 400 factories out of the 2,000 which deal with chemicals or other hazardous materials have complied with safety regulations. 

Those which did not adhere to the regulations were mainly small and medium industry (SMI) plants, said Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) deputy director-general Zainuddin Abdullah.  

“We find that there is more awareness of safety measures among the bigger factories, especially the multi-national ones,” he said after the opening of a seminar on Usechh 2000 by Pahang executive councillor Datuk Law Kee Long at the Hyatt Regency Hotel here yesterday. 

Usechh 2000 is the acronym for “Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health Regulations 2000,” a ruling to ensure that factory workers are not exposed to harmful chemicals. 

Zainuddin said his department would also have safety programmes for farmers on how to deal with chemicals.  

He said he was satisfied with the response to the Usechh 2000 roadshows, adding that there had been an increase in awareness of the regulations. 

Law, who is the state Social Welfare, Unity and Consumer Affairs committee chairman, said local businesses should learn from the bigger companies in enforcing safety measures at their plants.  

He proposed that DOSH increase its efforts to educate the SMIs on safety standards. 

Law said one reason for low compliance with the regulations by SMIs was the employers' poor understanding of the legislation, especially regarding the handling of chemicals. 

“Some employers were more interested in increasing their profits rather than improving safety and health protection for their workers,” he added. 

Present at the function was state DOSH director Ahmad Shahrom Mohd Yunus.

Source: The STAR, Malaysia