MAKING OSH A CULTURE
THROUGH OSH IN SCHOOL
LEE, Lam Thye
Chairman,
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Ministry of Human Resources MALAYSIA
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
 In order to make OSH a culture in
any country, it is necessary to begin
with the young generation. In line
with this objective NIOSH Malaysia
has embarked upon an “OSH in
School” Programme which was
introduced with the objective of
making schools safe and healthy
places of work for teachers, school
staff, students and visitors alike.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
In an effort to make our schools safe
places for study and work, the National
Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) has offered assistance to
the Malaysian Education Ministry to
create awareness of safety and health in
schools through the 'OSH in School'
programme. In this connection NIOSH
has successfully implemented a pilot
project involving primary and secondary
schools with the sponsorship from
private-sector companies.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
 In Malaysia over the years, there
were reports of accidents in
schools, involving teachers,
students and staff arising from
collapse of building structures,
ceiling fans, goal posts as well as
accidents in school laboratories
and school toilets.
 Schools must be regarded not only
as a place to study but also as a
workplace.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience

“The OSH in school”
Programme covers another
dimension and views school as
a workplace, in accordance with
the Occupational Safety and
Health Act (OSHA) 1994.

In the case of schools, the
working people are teachers,
administrative and other support
staff while the “others” are those
affected by activities of the
working people who primarily
would be the students.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
 The application of OSHA to schools as
places of work aims to make them safe
and healthy for teachers, students and
visitors. The programme aims:
 To ensure safety, health and welfare for those
at work;
 To protect the students against risk to safety
and health in connection with the activities of
persons at work; and
 To establish a safe and healthy working
environment involving the office, laboratory,
canteen, toilet, hostel, school fields etc.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience

Through the “OSH in school”
Programme, NIOSH hopes to
impress upon the schools the
importance of good OSH
management as a solution to
all problems related to OSH.

Training and information
dissemination are the main
elements in ensuring that
teachers and students know
the risk they are facing in the
workplace and how to work
safely in order to deal with the
risks.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
Target Groups

The implementation of “OSH in School” Programme
involves the following target groups”:
I) Teachers (academic staff)

Teachers have to be educated and trained to work safely in
schools. Topics for OSH training for the teachers include:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Understanding the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA
1994);
Establishment of the Safety and Health Committee to discuss
all OSH related issues;
Understanding the HIRARC concept which is hazards
identification, risk assessment and risk control;
Usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs); and
Implementation of an OSH Management System (OSH-MS).
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
II) Support Staff (administrative, general and technical
staff)

Safety issues should include school buildings, structures,
toilets, school canteens, classrooms, office room,
laboratories, school fields, etc. Hence, OSH awareness
should not only be limited to teachers alone but also
extended to all other staffs. Activities may include talks and
demonstrations on topics such as:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Workers responsibility under the OSH Act 1994;
Hazards identification, risk assessment and risk control
(HIRARC);
Usage of Personal protective equipment (PPE); and
Fire safety demonstration and fire drill practice.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
III) Students

Students are those affected by activities of the work place.
Therefore, instilling OSH awareness in schools from an
early and receptive age will benefit students who are going
to make up the nation’s future workforce and they will
eventually embrace the safety culture and contribute
towards making their future workplaces accident-free.
Activities involving students should include:
a)
b)
c)
d)
OSH quizzes;
Hazard Hunt (Identifying hazards);
OSH poster competition; and
Formation of OSH clubs in schools.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
IV) Parents

Parents can play their role through the Parent-Teachers
Association (PTAs) in creating safety and health
consciousness and promoting the safety culture. Activities
that can be held include:
a)
b)
c)
Organize OSH seminars, talks and exhibition in conjunction
with Annual General Meeting (AGM);
Organize special workshops on identifying hazards for school
excursions / outdoor activities; and
Find sponsorships from the private sector to fund more “OSHin School” activities.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience
 As children grow up, teachers and parents
can reinforce and help them develop their
knowledge of safety and health issues
thus helping to prepare them for the world
of work.
 The most urgent task is to create safety
and health consciousness among the
teaching and support staff as well as
among the students and to promote a
safety culture.
OSH in School: The Malaysian
Experience

Guide book
sponsored by
Exxonmobil
OSH Camp with
PETRONAS

In conclusion, there is the need
to instill in our young generation
a strong sense of safety
consciousness as they progress
through their education system.
In Malaysia we encourage the
corporate sector to discharge
their social responsibility by
working with NIOSH to introduce
the “OSH in School” Programme
and pave the way for the gradual
emergence of an OSH culture in
the country in the future.