'Vision Zero the way forward for healthier, safer work environment'

The global launch of Vision Zero was held at the World Congress of Safety and Health in Singapore in 2017 by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

“It’s the first ever global campaign to improve safety, health and wellbeing at work. The campaign aims at engaging companies worldwide to systematically cut down on occupational accidents and diseases by investing in a healthy and motivated workforce,” Lee said.

According to him, safe and healthy working conditions are not only a legal and moral obligation, but also can pay off economically.

“International research on the return on investments in prevention proves that every dollar invested in safety and health generates a potential benefit of more than two dollars in positive economic effects. It shows that healthy working conditions contribute to healthy business,” he said

Lee said the adoption of Vision Zero was timely since the Human Resources Ministry, under the OSH Master Plan 2016-2020, has set the target of reducing industrial accidents to 2.53 per 1,000 workers, and industrial fatalities to 4.36 per 100,000 workers by 2020.

However, he said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) record showed that accident rate at workplace per 1,000 workers had slightly increased to 2.93 in 2017, compared with 2.88 in 2016 and 2.81 in 2015. In 2006, the rate was 4.77 accidents per 1,000 workers.

“The industrial fatality rate has also increased to 4.90 per 100,000 workers in 2017 compared with 4.84 per 100,000 workers in both 2016 and 2015,” he added.

If the trend continues, Lee said the target set for both industrial accidents and fatalities would not be achieved by 2020.

He added that ISSA had also developed a range of resources to support the Vision Zero Campaign. These include introducing the seven golden rules that cover leadership aspect – hazard identification, targets, safe and healthy system, safety of machines, equipment and workplaces, competency and human resource development.

Lee urged organisations, companies and individuals who wish to learn more about the Vision Zero Campaign to get the information from ISSA website.

Read More: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/506311/vision-zero-way-forward-healthier-safer-work-environment