The government will conduct surprise check on chemical factories to ensure that proper health and safety measures are taken, said Human Resource Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn today.

"Employers who are found to be breaking government's regulations will receive a warning letter, or even be charged in court," he warned.

In April last year, the government gazetted the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2000, which provides a legal framework for employers to control chemicals which are hazardous to health with respect to their use, and to set workplace exposure standards.

According to the Act, employers who do not abide to the correct usage and the level of exposure of hazardous chemicals will be punished.

Those who violate the regulations, on conviction, will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000, or imprisonment for a term less than one year.

In the case of a continuing offence, a fine not exceeding RM1,000 for each day will be imposed during which the offence continues after conviction.

According to Fong, a large majority of the Social Security Organisation's claims are related to ailments brought on from the exposure to such chemicals.

"As 70 percent of them (the workers) suffered from the negative impact of the chemicals, it is important to know the right way of handling and managing the chemicals," he said.

The minister added that about five to 10 percent of the 100,000 types of chemicals in the market are believed to be hazardous to humans.

He also pointed out that the impact on health from the exposure to hazardous chemicals could take a long time to emerge.

"Among them, between 150 and 200 causes cancers," he lamented.

Time for action

Fong said that the government has given all employers, including small- and medium-size industries a one-year deadline to comply with the regulations.

"It is now time for the government to conduct investigations in all the factories that use chemicals," he said.

Fong added that there are currently 20,000 factories in Malaysia using industrial chemicals.

"The regulations should not be misinterpreted as a move to hinder the expansion and development of the companies. Instead, it is a positive thing for the companies and the country internationally," he stressed.

He said that by abiding to the regulations, companies will not only guaranteed the safety and health of its employees, but also be rewarded for producing quality products and an increase in productivity.

By adhering to the regulations, local companies would have the capability to meet the challenges of international trade set by developed countries, said Fong.

"With this, these companies will be more competitive," he said.