KUALA LUMPUR: Those violating the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 and the Factories and Machinery Act (Repeal) Act 1967 will soon face a maximum fine of RM500,000 as it comes into effect on June 1.
The Human Resources Ministry in a statement today said the amended Act, which covers the increase in fine penalty from RM50,000, was gazetted on March 16.
"The gazettement of the Act is in line with the government's commitment to ensure all employees in the country are able to work in a safe, healthy, conducive and productive environment.
"Among the apparent changes in the Act is the increase in penalties with deterrent effect, tenfold the previous fine of RM50,000 to RM500,000," read the statement.
It would ensure that the issues of workers' safety, health and welfare were given attention and make the workplace an occupational accident and disease-free area, it said.
It also said the ministry, through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health always emphasised the importance of enforcing existing law, as well as the need to adapt to new challenges in occupational safety and health.
The ministry had earlier today hosted a seminar on the matter for the central zone that was launched by Deputy Human Resources Ministry Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, it said.
"The seminar was aimed at ensuring stakeholders, namely occupational safety and health practitioners, associations, employers and employees have a better understanding of changes made in the Act.
"It is aimed at ensuring that the relevant knowledge is applied to strengthen compliance, as well as improving occupational safety and health in all sectors."