OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514). It is the main Malaysian law for safety and health at work. The 2022 amendment (Act A1648) is in force since 1 June 2024. The Act now applies to all places of work, with three exceptions. This post lists the duties of employers and employees, and the main 2022 changes.
Learn these skills in the course Occupational Safety and Health (BG-OSHA), modules 1 and 2.
Who This Is For
Employers, HR staff, supervisors and safety officers who need a clear answer on OSHA.
OSHA in One Minute
| Question | Answer | Section of Act 514 |
|---|---|---|
| What is OSHA? | The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514) | Section 1 |
| Where does it apply? | All places of work in Malaysia, including the public services and statutory authorities | Section 1(2) |
| Where does it not apply? | Domestic servants, the armed forces, and work on board ships under the Merchant Shipping Ordinances | Section 1(3), First Schedule |
| Who enforces it? | The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) | Part II |
Employer Duties: A Checklist
Section 15 sets the general duty. The employer ensures, so far as is practicable, the safety, health and welfare of employees. Use this checklist for your place of work.
| Duty | Section | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Safe plant and systems of work | 15(2)(a) | Keep machines, tools and work methods safe |
| Safe use, handling, storage and transport | 15(2)(b) | Set rules for plant and substances |
| Information, instruction, training and supervision | 15(2)(c) | Train staff and supervise new or risky work |
| Safe place of work, access and exit | 15(2)(d) | Keep floors, stairs and exits clear and safe |
| Safe working environment and welfare facilities | 15(2)(e) | Check air, light, noise, toilets and rest areas |
| Emergency procedures (new in 2022) | 15(2)(f) | Write and practise fire, first aid and evacuation steps |
| Written safety and health policy | 16 | Write the policy, update it and show it to all employees, unless an exemption applies |
| Risk assessment (new in 2022) | 18B | Assess the risks of your work and put the controls in place |
| OSH coordinator (new in 2022) | 29A | With 5 or more employees, appoint one, unless you have a safety and health officer |
| Safety and health committee | 30 | Set one up with 40 or more persons employed at the place of work |
Employee Duties
Section 24(1) gives every employee four duties at work:
