Employers must follow MOH workplace guidelines strictly
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on April 10 said the government had agreed to allow businesses in selected sectors to resume operations in stages during the MCO period. However they can only start their operations upon approval by International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti). (Star, 13th April 2020)
The latest extended list of essential services include the automotive industry; tooling and machinery industry; aerospace industry; construction and construction-related industries; scientific, professional and technical industries, as well as research and development; social health and registered traditional medicine services; hardware, electrical and electronic stores involved in wholesale and retail; and laundry services.
Companies in the sectors that are allowed to operate must adhere to the set SOPs for their respective sectors. The allowance to resume operations is subject to strict adherence to health and safety guidelines set by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and guidelines of other authoritative agencies.
According to MITI, if a company approved to operate during the MCO period is found to have violated operating conditions, it would be seen as a criminal offence under Regulation 7 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within the Local Area of Infection) 2020.
MITI has revoked the approvals for four companies which had breached the guidelines, while 35 companies, which were reported to be in breach of the SOP, are being investigated by the Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia and the Royal Malaysia Police. (theedgemarkets.com-16th April 2020)
Keeping Workers Safe; Responsibility of Employers during Covid-19.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, as quoted in the NST on 17th April 2020, said employers ought to be responsible in ensuring certain precautionary measures are implemented in the workplace, particularly industries that employ a large number of workers, including foreign ones.
Body temperature and symptoms (for Covid-19) should be checked before entering the premises; hand washing facilities and hand sanitisers should be provided; and cleaning and disinfection should be performed regularly, especially at shared spaces.
Besides that, safe social distancing should be practiced where an individual should be at least one metre away from another, including at work spaces and dining areas. He also said gatherings at confined spaces, congregations, and close conversations should be avoided at workplaces.
Dr Noor Hisham said if lodging had been provided, preventive measures especially the practice of safe social distance and personal hygiene should be emphasised.
Amongst the SOP that needs to be followed are ;
- Provide a Safe Work Place.
Disinfect work place and common areas prior to restarting work. Ensure disinfection of common areas are done regularly. Follow disinfection guideline as recommended by MOH.
Transport for workers must be disinfected before and after use.
- Task Force
Form a Covid-19 Task Force in the work place. This task force should have representative from employers, employees, union, safety office, etc to ensure implementation and compliance to practices to reduce and eradicate Covid-19. This Task Force should work in collaboration with MOH and OSH expertise.
- Awareness of Preventive Measures for All
Provide Covid-19 education and prevention information, in the language most workers can understand, through flyers, audio recording, short briefs, posters and frequent reminders. These are already available in MOH website and from other organisation such as UNHCR and Malaysian Health Coalition.
- Mask
Provide each worker with a mask to use during each shift, and replace the mask every day.
- Hand Washing
Provide hand sanitiser (or soap and water) for workers to use often, prior to shift and after, and freely in between. Provide instruction on how to wash hands following the correct MOH guideline.
- Social Distance
Adjust workplace area to ensure workers work one meter apart. There should be tape marking placed on the floor every one meter at prominent areas. Social distancing should be observed everywhere, in the canteen, prayer area, waiting area, meeting rooms. Seating must be at least one meter apart. Avoid enclosed area. Minimise personnel in each room.
Number of workers allowed would initially be 50 % of normal to ensure social distancing. Meal times should be staggered to ensure social distancing.
- Roll Call
Every day, check attendance by conducting a roll call prior to each shift to ensure no one is lying sick in their room and unnoticed.
- Check List Call out
Prior to each shift, ask aloud if any of the workers have fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing. Also ask if any have recently attended big gathering, or in contact with a possible positive patient. Provide a safe and trusting environment, to ensure workers with symptoms would not be afraid to come forward.
These workers should be assisted to seek medical help, through MOH online services and sent to screening centres if needed.
- Check Temperature
Use a thermo scan to take temperature of each worker at the beginning of the shift.
- Financial Support
Support workers who are ill to come forward for screening with a guarantee of full monthly pay throughout this period of MCO and Covid-19 if they are admitted to hospital for Covid-19 treatment.
(http://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Garis%20Panduan/COVID19/Annex_25_COVID_guide_for_workplaces_22032020.pdf
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf)
PSM hopes that employers whom, tirelessly lobbied the government to re open businesses and manufacturing industries must continue their conviction and ensure they implement strictly all necessary as per Ministry of Health ‘s guidelines.
PSM started our workers assistance hotline since 18th March, 2020, welcome workers to contact us and report if employers are not abiding by the MOH guidelines. PSM will forward these complaints to the relevant authorities for immediate action.
Selangor – 012-3597966
Kuala Lumpur – 016-6377901
Perak – 019-5638464
Negeri Sembilan – 012-2414351
Melaka – 018-2303274
Johor – 017-7540597
Pahang / Terengganu – 016-3441003
Kelantan – 014-5342720
Penang/Perlis – 019-5669518
Kedah – 012-2001826
Negeri lain – 010-2402159
Released by,
Sivaranjani Manickam
Biro Pekerja Parti Sosialis Malaysia
