Existing Staff Can Serve As OSH Coordinators, Says Deputy Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The appointment of an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Coordinator does not require the creation of a permanent or dedicated position, but rather involves assigning the responsibility to an existing employee.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said this is in line with the provisions under Section 29A of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), which came into force on June 1, 2024.

“In this matter, the government is of the view that the requirement can be fulfilled without creating a specific post for OSH Coordinators among public sector employees,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Rushdan Rusmi (PN–Padang Besar) on whether the ministry has plans to establish dedicated OSH Coordinator positions in the public sector following the amendments to the Act.

Abdul Rahman said the requirement to appoint an OSH Coordinator under Section 29A applies to all employers with at least five employees, including those in the public sector.

The main purpose of Section 29A, he explained, is to ensure that every workplace has an individual responsible for coordinating OSH matters.

In addition, he said the OSH Coordinator plays a role in helping employers ensure compliance with legal requirements related to OSH and in coordinating the implementation of safety measures at the workplace.

-- BERNAMA