Kota Kinabalu: Employers and employees must be committed to ensuring their work area is safe and without any risk to health in the country's drive for quality human capital."If we fail to pay attention to the safety and health aspects in work areas, repercussions such as accidents, illness and property damage might occur," Occupational and Health Department, Director General, Dato' Dr Johari Basri said at the OSH-Menara Tun Mustapha Towerthon, here, Tuesday.
He reiterated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak in saying the nation needs quality human capital who are knowledgeable and skilled for the nation to be developed by 2020.
"But, the development of quality human capital can only be achieved when safety and health in the work area is taken care of perfectly.
"Employees are the main assets for any organisation and they should be protected from any mishaps at the work area," Johari added.
He said, a productive and quality workforce is much needed in developing and driving the country's economic boom.
"Efforts to produce these type of employees are not an easy process however," Johari said.
Hence, a safe and healthy work culture among employees in the nation should be applied and nurtured so the production process of human capital does not go to waste, he said.
Johari explained the purpose of organising programmes and activities such as the Towerthon is to exploit the latest information on current issues of safety and health to the workforce.
"A healthy body will have a positive impact on a person and will make the person more aware and rational in their daily tasks.
"I urge employers and employees to ensure workers' health is guaranteed in eliminating health risks and encourage employees to participate in healthy activities," he added.
When physical health is taken care of, minds will be opened to accept orders, information and training that has been prepared on safety, Johari said.
This is the first time the State was chosen to host this weeklong event by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) with about 350 people participating in the Towerthon race and a further 70 students participating in the drawing competition.
Also present was NIOSH Council Member, Hjh Rosmawati Haji Lasuki.
