THE EVALUATION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH COMPLIANCE AT GLOVE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON COVID-19 RISKS

Abstract

Malaysia is the largest exporter of gloves in the world with an export value of RM35.3 billion in 2020. Based on Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) statistics, there are 129 registered glove manufacturing factories employing around 68,000 workers comprising 60% of foreign workers. At the international level, one of the issues that is often associated with this industry in Malaysia is the allegation issue of employer exploitation on employees, including in the aspects of occupational safety and health. The industry is also associated with the emergence of COVID-19 clusters in the workplace. This study aims to assess the overall level of compliance to the basic components of occupational safety and health legislation. The normative requirements under the Movement Control Order’s (MCO) of COVID-19 Prevention and Control Standard Operation Procedures were then evaluated. A survey and onsite assessment on 104 workplaces were conducted. Assessment factors comprise of seven categories which include machinery safety, OSH management, physical aspects of the workplace, chemicals management, noise exposure, ergonomic management, and Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) of COVID 19. Results shows that compliance to both basic components of OSH legislation and COVID 19 SOPs were relatively high (87.8% and 88.9%). Machinery safety shows the highest legal compliance followed by OSH management and physical aspects of the workplaces. Noise and ergonomic demonstrates low level of compliance. As to reduce risks of COVID 19 infection at workplace, more than half employers (69.3%) performing swab tests for their foreign workers. They also established a COVID-19 Emergency Protocol Committee to ensure compliance of physical distancing and disinfection activities. This study concludes a lack of compliance could lead to unwanted risks and serious control movement order in the glove manufacturing companies. The implication of this study reflects the importance to comply with higher safety and health requirements during the pandemic phase.