At the 17th Asian Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Engineering Exhibition (OGA 2019), 3M the global science company, showcases the recently acquired Scott Safety™ and their 3M™ PELTOR™ Full Brim Hard Hat Attached Earmuffin in their support to provide enhanced safety solutions to workers in Malaysia.
Scott Safety™ solutions provide a range of innovative respiratory and personal protective equipment and safety devices for workers associated with commercial and residential heavy construction operations, civil engineering and the construction of roads, bridges, infrastructure, oil and gas plants, manufacturing and mining.
The event was officiated by Tan Sri Lee Lan Thye, Chairman for The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Implementing good occupational safety and health practices can ultimately save lives, especially in high risk workplaces. Knowledge of the correct protection equipment is the key to promoting safer work cultures and reducing the risks of occupational hazards,” says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Occupational hazards and accidents often happens in industries like manufacturing, construction, mining and oil and gas. According to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), occupational accidents per 1000 workers in Malaysia have increased from 2.88 in 2016 to 2.93 in 2017.
There are incidents which can lead to occupational injuries and fatalities such as lifting equipment, falls, heavy machinery and hazards exposed to workers in confined spaces.
Certain fatalities at the workplace due to unsafe worker practices which can be mitigated with the correct type and use of safety equipment. Thus, there is a strong need for both employees and employers to educate themselves about the various safety options available which can be used to effectively reduce occupational hazards.
“Often, employers choose to select safety gear that falls under the necessary compliance but fail to recognise whether that is the right choice for their workers. Through our presence at OGA 2019, we hope to break through that barrier and help employers understand what is truly required to ensure the safety and protection of their workers,” says GT Lim, General Manager at 3M Malaysia.
According to the annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries compiled by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, a total of 136 U.S. workers died in incidents associated with confined spaces in 2015. This further highlights the importance of adhering to safety practices and choosing the right safety equipment to ensure that workers are effectively protected.
Addressing noise induced occupational hazard
Noise is probably the most widespread and underestimated of industrial hazards in the workplace and is a real risk to millions of people every day. According to statistics from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is one of the most common occupational illnesses affecting workers.
In Malaysia, occupational noise-induced hearing disorders (which include NIHL, hearing impairment and Permanent Standard Threshold Shift) was the highest reported occupational disease compared to other diseases in the year 2016 with 2876 cases (74.5 percent) (DOSH, 2017).
To protect workers from noise induced hazards, 3M Malaysia also launched their 3M™ PELTOR™ Full Brim Hard Hat Attached Earmuff with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 26 dB. The earmuffs are 3M’s latest advancement in hearing conservation with new technologies in comfort, design and protection.
Designed to help reduce exposure to industrial noise and other loud sounds, the 3M™ PELTOR™ Full Brim Hard Hat Attached Earmuffs are light weight and low profile with improved compatibility with other personal protection equipment.
“Together with our Scott Safety™ solutions and the 3M™ PELTOR™ Full Brim Hard Hat Attached Earmuffs, we hope to help improve overall worker safety in Malaysia, adds General Manager GT Lim. “At 3M Malaysia, we use our deep industry knowledge and hard-won expertise to develop innovative products and it is this practice that has enabled us to develop world-class safety solutions.”
