Employers are not required to create new positions to appoint Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Coordinators, as existing staff can fulfil the role, according to Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, Abdul Rahman clarified that under Section 29A of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), employees currently on the payroll may be designated as OSH Coordinators. This provision came into effect on June 1, 2024.
He made the statement in response to a query from Padang Besar MP Rushdan Rusmi (PN), who asked whether the government intended to create dedicated OSH Coordinator positions within the public sector.
The deputy minister emphasized that the requirement applies to all workplaces with at least five employees, including public sector organizations.
“The appointment of OSH Coordinators is meant to enhance workplace safety without expanding bureaucracy unnecessarily,” he said.
The main responsibility of an OSH Coordinator is to assist employers in meeting safety regulations and to help manage the implementation of health and safety measures in the workplace.
According to Abdul Rahman, this flexible approach allows organizations to stay compliant with safety laws while optimizing existing human resources.
-HR HUB
