Safety awareness in tourism sector still low, says Niosh

The tourism industry’s awareness of safety aspects remains low despite the sector’s rapid growth, particularly in Sabah and Melaka, BK reports.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) executive secretary Major (Rtd) Hanif Maidin said the tourism industry largely perceived safety issues as minor concerns.

He pointed out how this contrasted with the emphasis on safety in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

“The reality is that risks and dangers are present everywhere.

“We see that awareness levels are still low in the tourism industry,” he told reporters during Niosh’s Beach Cleanup corporate social responsibility programme at Pantai Padang Kemunting, Pengkalan Balak, Melaka.

Over 100 volunteers from Niosh and students from the Advanced Technology Training Centre in Melaka collected 39.5kg of rubbish along a 1km of Pantai Kemunting.

Hanif said Niosh would start providing more detailed briefings to tourism industry players on the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into force on June 1.

Niosh would also collaborate with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and the tourism agencies in each state, he said.

He highlighted that under the amended Act, which now included the tourism sector, employers were required to conduct risk assessments at the workplace and appoint health and safety coordinators.

“We see this as crucial, especially for tourism in beach or island areas where safety aspects are often overlooked despite known and recognised risks,” he said.

“Therefore, we want safety measures to be in place before engaging in tourism activities.

“There must be enhanced safety in terms of boats, designated swimming areas, and safety equipment,” he stressed.

Hanif noted that between January and October last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) recorded 176 non-permanent disability accident cases in the hotel and restaurant sector.