The development of new and modern industries carries along with it risky activities which might result in accidents at the work place. For example, high-rise buildings are mushrooming in the cities and industries, with large chemical substances, are used in manufacturing. As a result of that, fatalities do occur at times. Thus, the national legislation has provided regulations that is capable of eradicating or minimizing, those risks. It is the role of the Government to ensure that despite heavy emphasis on industrialization, the welfare of the workers needs to be taken care of too. A sustainable and just society can only be created if the work force is not exposed to unnecessary risk
to their lives in the quest of the nation towards development. From a wider perspective, this is all about quality of life and it could also be argued as an issue bordering on human rights. This paper will discuss the role and significance of some legislation in Malaysia pertaining to industrial safety, especially relating to the duty of employers. However, this paper will focus on the new legislation, namely the Malaysian Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994. |