Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye
SIBU: Schoolchildren need to be taught on occupational safety and health (OSH) to alert them to dangers lurking within and outside the school gate.
In stressing this yesterday, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said OSH programmes should be publicised to create a heightened awareness.
He also suggested that relevant authorities regularly check on conditions of facilities and have them replaced if not in good working order.
Lee was commenting on the call by Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh for the management of schools nationwide to strengthen the role and function of the School Safety Committee to doubly ensure the safety of pupils.
Idris made the call following the incident of a primary four pupil, Huguan Isaac, 10, from SK Sacred Heart in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, whose cheek was pierced with a metal rod on Monday when the boy stepped on a metal drain cover while playing with his friends after school recently.
Lee said the incident showed the need for OSH programmes to be taught in schools.
“Schoolchildren should be alerted to all risks, dangers or hazards that could be present anywhere.
“They should be taught to take necessary precautions even when they are outside the school compound to safeguard their own safety,” he said.
The incident, he added, had brought to light the need for a proper maintenance culture.
Citing drain covers, he said these should be inspected regularly.
Incidents have arisen where the cover gave way when a person walked on it, he said.
Inspection is required from time to time due to the effects of wear and tear, he said. “Don’t wait for something to happen to take action,” he said.