DISASTER and incident preparedness constitute a crucial set of measures implemented by governments, organisations, communities and individuals.
This is done to ensure and enhance the ability to respond effectively and cope with immediate aftermath of disasters whether caused by natural hazards or human-made events.
The primary goal of these measures is to educate the public on preparedness and response capabilities, ultimately aiming to prevent and reduce the impacts of incidents or disasters.
The critical factor is the initial five minutes of an incident or emergency, which significantly determines the effectiveness of addressing incidents and minimising their severity thus facilitating a quicker return to normalcy.
Unfortunately, the lack of preparedness often results in chaos, with blame and finger-pointing becoming prevalent.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend two Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Day celebrations and visit an organisation that champions a robust work safety culture at their premises.
What struck me was the dedication of these organisations to instill a culture of safety that extends beyond their workplaces.
This prompted me to delve into the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), which aims to provide further provisions for ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of individuals at work and protecting others from risks associated with work activities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 emphasises the importance of individuals possessing practical knowledge about the severity of hazards or risks, methods to remove or mitigate these risks and the availability and suitability of ways to address them while considering the associated costs.
This understanding forms the basis for commendation, particularly towards three government linked corporations (GLCs), namely, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and KKB Engineering Berhad (KKEB).
These companies have gone above and beyond to ensure that their employees incorporate work safety practices into their daily lives.
The objectives of these GLCs align with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, focusing on securing the safety, health, and welfare of individuals at work, protecting others at the workplace, and promoting an occupational environment tailored to physiological and psychological needs.
Their commitment extends to enhancing existing occupational safety and health legislation progressively with a system of regulations and approved industry codes of practice in conjunction with the provisions of the Act to maintain or improve safety and health standards.
PETROS, Trienekens, and KKBEB share a common dedication of providing safe and healthy working conditions, adhering to relevant occupational health and safety laws and regulations.
These organisations maintain an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management System compliant with ISO 45001:2018 standards and ISO 9001.
By adopting a family-oriented structure, all employees are valued as members of the company, with the highest priority always given to their safety and health.
This commitment extends beyond the workplace to include company premises and homes, incorporating preventive measures, protective measures, and comprehensive education and training programmes.
Their motto, ‘Think Safety, Work Safely, Safe to Work, and Safe Reaching Home with Loved Ones’ underscores the urgency and importance of building a safety culture in the workplace.
This culture is not confined to company boundaries but has the potential to spread to other communities, thus creating a ripple effect on safety consciousness.
The approach mirrors total fire safety initiatives which focus on the importance of avoiding the unsafe attitude, behaviour or unsafe ABC.
At the same time, they also draw attention to the Life-Saving Rules; these industry-wide rules are applicable to all locations including employees’ homes.
These Life-Saving Rules cover critical areas such as Bypassing Safety Controls, Driving, Confined Space, Energy Isolation, Hot Work, Line of Fire, Safe Mechanical Lifting, Work Authorisation and Working at Height.
The application of these rules extends beyond the workplace as they also have impacts in everyday life.
Those who understand and practise these rules not only benefit from a safer environment but contribute to the creation of a broader safety culture that goes beyond organisational boundaries.
The efforts of organisations like PETROS, Trienekens, and KKBEB synergise with initiatives such as total fire safety that significantly enhance the overall safety landscape.
By addressing unsafe attitudes, behaviours, and conditions, they not only promote safety within the workplace but also foster a safe and resilient community.
The shared commitment to safety between these organisations and the State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba Sarawak) contributes to the efforts for Sarawak’s total fire safety which will amplify the positive impacts to create a more secure and prepared society.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
