𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐒𝐎𝐒𝐇: 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡-𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐲
Last night, a devastating accident on the North-South Expressway claimed 7 precious lives. Investigations have revealed that the cause of this tragedy was a lorry tire detachment, raising serious concerns about vehicle maintenance and the effectiveness of inspections by authorities.
This incident underscores critical safety gaps:
1. Inadequate lighting on highways, which hampers visibility and increases risks for all road users.
2. Poor maintenance of heavy vehicles, leading to catastrophic failures like this.
3. Lapses in enforcement of vehicle inspection standards by the responsible authorities.
4. Lack of Safety and Health Officers (SHOs) or OSH Coordinators in transportation companies, which results in insufficient safety oversight and preventive measures.
The Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) strongly urges:
PLUS Malaysia Berhad to prioritize the installation of adequate lighting along the highway to improve visibility and safety, especially in high-risk areas.
Transport operators to appoint trained and certified Safety and Health Officers (SHOs) or OSH Coordinators to monitor, enforce, and improve safety practices within their operations.
Authorities to strengthen enforcement of regular inspections for heavy vehicles, holding those who fail to comply accountable.
Safety and Health Officers (SHOs) or OSH Coordinators play a crucial role in preventing accidents by providing expert advice to employers. They ensure that companies identify and address risks proactively, implement effective safety measures, and comply with legal and operational safety requirements. Prevention through advice and systematic coordination can save lives and protect businesses from avoidable tragedies.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the consequences of negligence. Safety on our roads requires collaboration and commitment from all parties involved. Lives are at stake, and there is no room for compromise when it comes to ensuring the safety of commuters and road users.
On behalf of MSOSH, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. We stand ready to work with industry players and regulators to promote safer practices and prevent such incidents in the future.
Ahmad Fakhrul Anuar Ismail
President, Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH)
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