FMM: RISING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The number of industrial accidents
reported in the manufacturing sector is a cause for concern, says the Federation
of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).

The FMM said the latest figures from the Department of Occupational and
Safety Health showed that the number of non-permanent disability cases
investigated in the manufacturing sector rose from 1,186 in 2009 to 1,493 in
2010.

"In the first two months of 2011, 242 of the 335 cases were from the
manufacturing sector," it said.

It said the permanently disabled cases investigated in the manufacturing
sector rose from 79 in 2009 to 162 in 2010 and for the first two months of 2011,
33 out of 44 cases investigated.

The federation said chief executive officers and top executives must set the
example and drive, practise and maintain high standards of safety and health not
only at the workplace but also as a way of life.

The FMM said it would be organising an occupational safety and health
conference on Apr 20, 2011.

The conference aims to reinforce the need to commit and make safety and
health a way of life.