Malaysia, Thailand Strengthen OSH Cooperation For Workers’ Well-being

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Sept 28 (Bernama) – Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH) through the sharing of training modules, research findings, expertise and laboratory facilities, in order to safeguard workers’ well-being in both countries.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Executive Director Datuk Ayop Salleh said the collaboration between NIOSH and the Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (T-OSH) marked a starting point towards broader regional cooperation under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN.

Heading a working visit to T-OSH headquarters on Friday (Sept 26), he said the discussions were highly encouraging, with both parties agreeing to jointly promote OSH-related activities through exhibitions and conferences at home and abroad.

“NIOSH and T-OSH will also work together to enhance their respective laboratory capacities and expertise to ensure that OSH-related research meets industry needs and is able to offer practical solutions to emerging challenges,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

During the visit, the NIOSH delegation also held discussions with T-OSH Executive Director Dr Nantachai Panyasurarit; Deputy Director (Academic), Associate Professor Buncha Srithanauthaikorn; Deputy Director (Administration), Dr Sasadis Choochon; and Professional Researcher, Dr Thanawan Ritthichai.

Ayop said T-OSH would also be sending a team to closely review various facilities at NIOSH headquarters in Bandar Baru Bangi, including its 13 internationally accredited OSH laboratories.

“This reciprocal visit will serve as a benchmark for similar programmes among ASEAN countries, in line with the MADANI Government’s aspirations through the Human Resources Ministry to raise OSH standards in the region,” he said.

He explained that during the ASEAN Safety and Health Workers Summit 2025, hosted by NIOSH in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, ASEAN delegates visited several NIOSH laboratories and witnessed the launch of the Liaison Office of the Asian Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute (AOSHRI) at NIOSH headquarters.

Ayop stressed that cooperation among regional OSH organisations under the ASEAN and AOSHRI framework is expected to accelerate the implementation of initiatives to enhance workplace safety, health and well-being, comparable to developed nations

-- BERNAMA