KUNDASANG: A special training module will be developed to improve occupational safety and security (OSH) knowledge among mountain guides and other high-risk workers of the tourism sector, to help them be more prepared and react better in the event of emergency.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said an induction course similar to that currently implemented for workers in other high-risk industries such as the oil and gas and utility sector would be developed for the guides.
“Niosh is planning to develop a special training module that will benefit workers in the high-risk segment of the tourism sector, such as mountain guides and tour guides who are involved in water-related activities, jungle trekking, river cruise and so on,” he said.
He said the module would, among others, provide exposure to the guides on emergency response and first aid.
The institute will also study if there is a need for better insurance coverage to help reduce the burden of the guides or their families in the event they are involved in work-related accidents,” he added.
Lee visited the Kinabalu National Park and met some of the mountain guides there yesterday, following the killer quake that claimed 18 victims on June 5.
He also presented financial contribution from Niosh, as a token of recognition of the guides’ contribution and bravery in leading the rescue team to bring trapped climbers from the mountain during the quake.
Elaborating further during a media conference after the visit, Lee said he would personally write to Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun to inform him that Niosh was prepared to offer its help.
“We want to educate them (mountain guides), give them the knowledge so that they would be able to identify what are the hazards and be more vigilant when they take climbers up,” he said.
He said Niosh was not looking just at the mountain guides aspect but aiming to enhance OSH across the tourism sector, by building on collaborations already existing within the industry.
“There are a lot of things that are safety and health related across the industry. Even in the hotel, or those who work in the restaurant, they must know about safety.
Even if they are just working in the kitchen, they must know for example if the floor is wet, they could fall and get injured.
“Or if they are doing the bed, they must also know how to handle the mattress properly, all these agronomic issues. These are the things that Niosh would like to do for the industry,” he said.
According to Lee, Niosh Sabah has started talking with the tourism players in the state and has even began working with some of them to provide OSH training for the workers.