Latest news with #DepartmentofOccupationalSafetyandHealth
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Excavations not to blame over Putra Heights blast
LOCALISED development work such as excavation could not have caused the April 1 pipeline explosion at Putra Heights, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad. He said the gas pipelines were located at least 6m underground. 'There is no way excavation work could reach those levels. 'The explosion was caused by underground soil movement, which later led to a collapse. 'This created friction that triggered the blast.' Following the incident, Abdul Rahman said that precautionary measures are being stepped up and replacement works ongoing. 'The contractor involved is also complying with international standards.' He noted that a joint on the affected pipe experienced mechanical fatigue, resulting in cyclic loading. 'The pipe experienced substantial underground movement, largely due to prolonged and concentrated water accumulation in one spot. This caused the ground supporting the pipe to lose support,' said Abdul Rahman. He also said that all PETRONAS-owned pipelines are in compliance with internationally- recognised standards, adding that the ministry's Department of Occupational Safety and Health findings revealed that all gas pipelines nationwide are safe. Abdul Rahman was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat), who asked about the cause of the pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Selangor. He also asked about the government's assurance towards ensuring safety for residents staying near such pipelines. To this, Abdul Rahman said that the measures taken include technical assessments on gas pipelines, increasing patrols along pipelines close to high-density communities, updating geotechnical risk assessments, and improving emergency preparedness, among others.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Gas pipeline system in country remains safe, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: The gas pipeline system throughout Malaysia remains safe based on inspections conducted by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh), following the fire incident at Putra Heights on April 1. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said Dosh remains committed to ensuring the highest level of safety, not only for workers but also for the public. "In addressing issues related to the standard operating procedures for the maintenance of Petronas' gas pipelines, I must emphasise that the investigation found Petronas' pipeline safety measures to be in accordance with internationally recognised standards. "Based on the steps taken and inspections conducted by Dosh, the gas pipeline system across Malaysia remains safe. "Therefore, Dosh has directed the gas pipeline operator to immediately implement control and improvement measures to ensure continued safe and high-integrity pipeline operations," he said in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN–Kuala Langat), who asked about the cause of the recent Petronas gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights and the government's assurance that the pipeline area and system remain safe. Rahman said seven measures have either been implemented or are currently underway. These include conducting technical assessments of gas pipelines using advanced technologies such as the Geo-Pipeline Inspection Gauge and Electromagnetic Locator, particularly in densely populated areas as prescribed by international standard ASME B31.8 and increasing the frequency of pipeline patrols in high-risk and densely populated zones. Other measures include updating geotechnical risk (geohazard) assessments and drainage systems in pipeline areas to identify potential early hazards; installing real-time monitoring systems to detect any abnormal changes in pipeline operations; and increasing the number of detection devices at critical locations to enable continuous safety monitoring. Additional actions involve enhancing training and emergency preparedness, including reviewing existing emergency response plans, and conducting public safety awareness campaigns to encourage community vigilance and the reporting of suspicious activity along pipeline routes. "Under the principle of self-regulation as outlined in the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA 1994), it is the responsibility of all parties to ensure that occupational safety and health are upheld at the highest level. "Should the investigation reveal any violations of laws enforced by DOSH, firm action will be taken without compromise," he added. Regarding the technical investigation, Rahman said the process involved visual inspections at the incident site, measurements and examination of pipeline components, sample collection for laboratory testing, control system reviews, and computer-based analysis. "The investigation found that the gas pipeline involved met the required technical specifications. Analysis showed the pipeline broke due to mechanical fatigue at the welded joint. "When the pipeline lacked ground support, it experienced repeated movement or cyclic loading, which led to fatigue concentrated at the welded joint. "The pipeline underwent significant underground movement due to physical changes in the surrounding area. This was further exacerbated by long-term water accumulation, which caused erosion of the soil supporting the pipeline," he said. He added that anthropogenic activities around the site, which altered the original topography, also contributed to soil instability. These findings were consistent with the report by the Minerals and Geoscience Department.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Putra Heights inferno: Excavations, developments did not cause pipeline fire, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Localised development activities, such as excavation, could not have resulted in the pipeline fire at Putra Heights, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the pipelines were located at least 6m underground. 'It was 6m deep. There is no chance for excavation works to reach those levels. "The explosion was caused by underground soil movement and a later collapse, which caused friction and then the explosion. 'Moving forward, we will be taking more precautions. Replacement works are also underway with the involved contractor also complying with international standards,' he said on Monday (July 28). He noted that a joint on the affected pipe experienced mechanical fatigue, resulting in cyclic loading, relating to repeated strain or loads on a component. "The pipe experienced substantial underground movement, which was also caused by prolonged and concentrated water accumulation in one spot. "This caused the ground supporting the pipe to lose support," he said. He also assured that all Petronas-owned pipelines comply with internationally recognised standards, adding that the ministry's Department of Occupational Safety and Health findings revealed that all gas pipelines nationwide are still in safe condition. Abdul Rahman was responding to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat), who asked about the cause of the pipeline fire in Putra Heights. He also asked about the government's assurance towards ensuring safety for those living along the pipelines. To this, Abdul Rahman said measures taken include technical assessments on gas pipelines, increasing patrols along pipelines close to high-density communities, updating geotechnical risk assessments, and improving emergency preparedness, among others. The explosion on April 1 damaged hundreds of homes and displaced hundreds of residents.
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- New Straits Times
DOSH still investigating fatal rack collapse at Kuala Langat glove factory
TAIPING: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is still investigating the collapse of a 17-storey storage rack at a factory in Kuala Langat yesterday, which resulted in the death of a foreign worker and injuries to five others. Its director-general, Mohd Hatta Zakaria, said DOSH Selangor had visited the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. "We are still investigating the case and if any breaches are found under the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, legal action will be taken. "Employers may face a maximum fine of RM500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both," he said after officiating the 2025 National-Level Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Week Celebration and the Road to 150 Years of OSH celebration here today. In yesterday's incident, the Bangladeshi worker was reported to have died after being crushed by the collapse of the storage rack at a glove factory on Jalan Kawasan Perindustrian Olak Lempit. The victim was extricated from the pile of goods by rescue personnel and pronounced dead at the scene. In a separate development, he said that a total of 10 fatal cases had been reported in Perak during the first six months of this year, six of which involved workers in the construction sector. In addition, he said several other cases were reported in Perak, including four cases of permanent disability, 510 cases without permanent disability, 12 cases of dangerous incidents, and 376 cases of occupational disease. "DOSH Perak also recorded 50 complaints related to OSH issues," he said.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Over 4,400 workplace accidents reported nationwide from January to May
TAIPING: A total of 4,409 workplace accident cases were reported nationwide between January and May this year, said Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) director-general Mohd Hatta Zakaria. The manufacturing sector recorded the highest number of cases with 2,320, followed by agriculture, forestry and fisheries (510), finance, insurance and real estate (481), transport, storage and communications (280), hotels and restaurants (219), utilities (181), public services (177), construction (64), and mining (23). "Of the total, 94 were fatal accidents,' he said at a press conference after officiating the Occupational Safety and Health Week and national level Road to 150 Years of OSH 2025 celebration here Wednesday (July 16). Mohd Hatta said Selangor recorded the highest number of workplace accident cases with 975, followed by Johor (810), Perak (422), Penang (377), Pahang (255), Negri Sembilan (247), the Federal Territories and Putrajaya (247), Sarawak (242), Sabah (206), Kedah (205), Melaka (204), Kelantan (112), Terengganu (88), Labuan (13), and Perlis (6). Meanwhile, over 200 participants joined the OSH Week 2025 programme, aimed at fostering a safe work culture and raising awareness on workplace safety. Themed Revolutionising Occupational Safety and Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digitalisation at the Workplace, the event was organised in collaboration with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO). "This theme reflects the evolving modern workplace, increasingly driven by technologies such as automation, smart equipment, real-time monitoring, data analytics and algorithm-based systems,' he said. He added that the department is targeting 350,000 sign-ups for the OSH Integrity Pledge, an initiative to strengthen a culture of safety and health while promoting ongoing commitment to compliance across all levels. - Bernama
