Action would be taken against those responsible if negligence had contributed to a shipping disaster in Labuan in July that resulted in five deaths, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said today.       

“Once we know what happened, action will be taken,” he said when approached at the Conference for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.  

The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) had attributed the explosion and fire on board the methanol tanker to lightning.   

According to DOSH deputy director-general (operations) Mohtar Musri, who was also at the conference, during the unloading of methanol from the MISC vessel, Bunga Alpinia , to the Petronas methanol terminal on July 26, it was raining and there was some lightning.     

“When there is loading and unloading, there is bound to be vapour from the chemicals and the vapour was what was struck by lightning, causing the explosion. It was also found that the earthing mechanism was not working that day,” he said.   

On another matter, Subramaniam urged employers to invest in occupational safety and health, saying it was an essential investment that would help increase productivity and profitability.  

“When we talk about health, we are talking not only about physical health but also mental and emotional health. It should be a holistic approach to occupational safety and health.”  

Subramaniam said the government had allocated RM200,000 to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) for research.    

“Although we (Malaysia) are regarded as one of the top countries in terms of occupational safety and health, we want to evolve and improve as well as keep on par with the latest developments around the world.”     

- Bernama