KUALA LUMPUR: Some 87 per cent of employers complied with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), including elements related to good ventilation.
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Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the data was derived from the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) 3.0 under the supervision of the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
The information, he said, was gathered after analysis on some five million self-declaration reports by industries between May last year and July this year, which is part of Miti’s requirements in the weekly SOP reports.
“In ensuring compliance of SOPs on ventilation and air circulation system among employers and employees, the Human Resources Ministry, through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), has implemented four main approaches,” he said in a written reply to a question from Senator Datuk T. Mohan.
Apart from reports submitted to CIMS 3.0, another approach covered industrial hygiene and occupational health enforcement by DOSH, related to ventilation and indoor air quality. A total 7,498 operations were conducted between January and August, he said.
Meanwhile, a total 4,930 enforcement actions were conducted between June 16 and Sept 28 by DOSH under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 task force and Covid-19 prevention SOP at workplaces.
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A total 269 compounds were issued for violation of SOPs at workplaces, he said.
Saravanan said special operations under the act among others focused on ventilation elements and air circulation at workplaces that would commence this month.
He said the ministry, through DOSH had developed Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic, approved by the National Security Council on July 8.
“The guidelines were developed with the cooperation of government agencies and non-governmental organisations including the Health Ministry, Institute of Medical Research (IMR), Works Department, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Member of the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (MASHRAE).
“The main objective of the guideline is to inform society on methods to improve ventilation and indoor air quality at workplaces, health facilities, residences and public places to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.”
He said the guidelines were developed based on the Industry Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality (ICOP IAQ) issued by DOSH and other documents published by the authorities in other countries and international organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO).-NST