Occupational safety and health (OSH)

A rudimentary notion underpinning the business operations of Hok Huat Group is the appreciation for fundamental right of workforce to perform in safe and healthy working environment.

Safeguarding workers against work-related accidents and contagious diseases has always been prioritized by the management as a standard objective of human right protection for people under employment to be treated with considerateness, conscientiousness and care deservedly given in due recognition for manpower’s contribution to overall prosperity of the Group in the long run.

In the context of this corporate culture, the identification of hazards arising in or from the workplace together with assessment and control of any associated risks of impairing the health and well-being of workers are indispensable principles of the initiative aimed at ensuring a safe and hygienic workplace.

Occupational Safety and Health Management System

(OSH SYSTEM)

With the direction of accident-free in perspective, and pursuant to relevant laws and regulations, the Group is implementing OSH system which contains the following main constituent elements:

Occupational Risks identification & Assessment

Code of Practice & Precautionary Measures

Recording & Reporting Accidents

Corrective Actions for Improvement

Occupational Risks Identification & Assessment

Depending on the nature and gravity of particular circumstances, mill workers may be exposed to the following accident-prone perils and hazards:

(1) Harmful Chemical or Biological Agents 
Many chemical agents used at workplace can be harmful to health. Biological risk includes transmission of diseases like, for instance, Covid-19, malaria & dengue fever.

(2) Work Stress
A stress response occurs when workers perceive that the demands of work exceed their abilities to cope with. While pressure is normal in workplace, stress may result when work pressure becomes excessive or otherwise unmanageable.

(3) Electrical Shock
Electric shock can lead to fatality caused by, for example, a sudden fall from ladder or scaffold, fire from faulty electrical equipment and explosion out of electricity igniting highly flammable substances.

(4) Fire Blaze
Fire happens when three elements of ignition, fuel and oxygen are present at the same time. Sources of ignition include heaters, lighting, flames, cigarettes and matches. Fuel originates from wood, paper, waste rubbish and furniture. The surrounding air supplies oxygen to aid combustion.

(5)  Pressure Equipment Blast
Many types of pressure equipment like steam boilers, pressurized hot-water boilers, air compressors and gas storage tanks can be dangerous to nearby people. When things go wrong, these types of equipment can give rise to not just injury but even loss of life.

(6) Injuries from Operating Plant, Machinery and Equipment
Moving machinery can cause tragedy in various ways:
  • Persons can be struck by moving parts of machinery or be drawn in and trapped between rollers and conveyors;
  • Sharp edges can cause cuts, stabbing or puncture the skin; rough surface parts can lead to friction or abrasion;
  • Parts of the machines and emissions (such as steam or water) can be hot enough to bring about burns or scalds; and
  • Injuries can occur when machines develop faults or are used improperly.

(7) Vehicles Accident 
People are liable to be knocked down, run over, or crushed against fixed parts by vehicles like forklifts, trucks, and trailers. Workers may fall from vehicles whether getting on or off, working at height, or when loading or unloading goods. 

(8) Improper Manual Handling Movement
Manual mishandling accounts for a significant proportion of all workplace injuries. Inappropriate manual handling covers a wide variety of activities including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying. If any one of these tasks is not carried out properly, there is a risk of bodily injury.

Code of Practice & Precautionary Measures

(1) Electrical Safety

  • Visual checks on electrical equipment, including portable appliances, are carried out regularly. The equipment must be removed from use immediately and check, repair or replace it if:
    1. the plug or connector is damaged;
    2. the cable has been repaired with tape, is not secure, or internal wires are visible;
    3. burn marks or stains are present (suggesting overheat).
  • More frequent checks for items more likely to become damaged (e.g. portable electrical tools and equipment that are regularly moved or used frequently).
  • Check that socket outlets are not overloaded by using unfused adaptors as this can otherwise cause fires.
  • Switch off and unplug appliances before cleaning or adjusting them.
  • Ensure everyone looks for electrical wires, cables or equipment near where they are going to work and check for danger sign of high voltage.
  • Make sure anyone working with electricity has sufficient skills, knowledge and experience to do so.
  • Stop using equipment immediately if they appear to be in faulty condition and get them checked by a competent person.

(2) Fire Safety

  • Carry out, review and update fire safety risk assessment regularly;
  • Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances far apart;
  • Maintain good housekeeping at all times, e.g. avoid build-up of rubbish that could burn;
  • Instal smoke alarms and fire alarms or bells;
  • Instal correct fire-fighting equipment;
  • Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times;
  • Ensure workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills.

(3) General Safety

  • Ventilation equipment are examined and tested regularly by a competent person. This may involve measuring the airflow or the pressures in the system.
  • Personal protective equipment are suitable for effective protection against the identified hazard, are used, are properly fitted and are maintained.
  • Workers are adequately vaccinated against Covid-19 virus infection.
  • Group personal accident insurance scheme is procured from reputable insurer to provide extensive insurance coverage for medical expenses of hospitalisation and outpatient treatment as well as liability indemnity protection against compensatory claim arising from accidental fatality or injury of any scheme participant.

Recording & Reporting Accidents

This process determines how an accident, dangerous occurrence, occupational poisoning and occupational disease is notified and recorded in accordance with the reporting and record keeping requirements of Occupational Safety and Health (Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence, Occupational Poisoning and Occupational Disease) Regulations 2004.

The decision-making process consists of four steps: 

Step 1 – Determine whether a case has occurred; that is, whether there was death, dangerous occurrence, poisoning or disease; 

Step 2 – Establish that the case was work related; that it resulted from an event or exposure in the work environment;

Step 3 – Decide whether the case is an accident or dangerous occurrence or occupational poisoning or occupational disease; and

Step 4 (a) – If the case is an occupational poisoning or occupational disease, notify using Form JKKP7, record and check the appropriate occupational poisoning or occupational disease category in Form JKKP8; or 

Step 4 (b) – If the case is death, serious bodily injury or dangerous occurrence, notify the case immediately by quickest means. Then send a written report using Form JKKP6 within 7 calendar days together with other case recorded in Form JKKP8.

Corrective Actions for Improvement

The following procedures are established for preventive and corrective action resulting from performance monitoring, measurement, audit and management review of OSH management system:

    1. Identify and analyse the root cause of any non-conformity with relevant OSH regulations and/or OSH management system; and
    2. initiate, plan, implement, check the effectiveness of and record corrective and preventive action, including changes to OSH management system itself.

When the evaluation of OSH management system shows that preventive and protective measures for hazards and risks are inadequate or likely to become inadequate, the lack of such measures will be addressed and rectified timely.