NIOSH TO OFFER FREE ACCREDITATION TRAINING FOR 10,000 OSH COORDINATORS – STEVEN SIM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Human Resources will provide free accreditation training for 10,000 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) coordinators from the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. 

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong explained that the initiative, through the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), involves an allocation of approximately RM9 million.

“This is a mandatory requirement under the latest amendment to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, enforced last year, specifically Section 29A.

“Every company is required to have at least one OSH coordinator. We understand that SMEs might perceive this as an additional expense, as it can cost around RM1,000 per participant, depending on the course provider,” he said during the soft launch of the ASEAN Safety and Health Workers Summit 2025 today.

He announced that the training programme is set to commence in February, and registration is open next week through NIOSH via phone, online, or at its offices.

He also launched the NIOSH Financial Institution Safety Passport (NFISP), an industry-driven initiative designed to enhance workplace safety and health standards in the financial and banking sector.

“This safety passport is voluntary. It is not imposed upon the industry, but we provide incentives to encourage broader participation in implementing the NFISP,” he said, adding that NIOSH currently offers 25 safety passport programmes across various sectors.

Sim highlighted that over 11,000 participants nationwide had attended the Occupational Mental Health First Aider training course held in February last year, surpassing the initial target of 10,000. 

Conducted by NIOSH in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the programme aims to train Mental Health First Aiders to deliver prompt support and intervention for colleagues dealing with workplace mental health challenges.

“They’re not doctors of course; they are first responders who can act immediately. We want to ensure that every workplace has a designated Mental Health First Aider. 

"Mental health issues are a growing concern, not only in workplaces but also within the wider community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people facing numerous life pressures," he said.

Further emphasising that the concept of workplace safety and health is not limited to physical issues but must also encompass mental health concerns, he pointed out that the inaugural programme was launched last year and has since gained international recognition. 

When asked about the upcoming minimum wage increase from RM1,500 to RM1,700 per month, effective Feb 1, Sim advised employers not to use the new minimum wage as a baseline salary for all employees, including graduates.

He also highlighted that, according to statistics, approximately 4.3 million workers in Malaysia earn less than RM1,700 a month, with 80 percent of them being local workers.

-- BERNAMA