NIOSH hopes Budget 2015 able to promote workplace safety

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) hopes the Budget 2015 will contain proposals to help industries and employers promote occupational safety and healthy at the workplace.

In a statement on Aug 17, its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said this could be done through proposals to consider granting tax rebate for imported Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to make them more affordable to employers and made available for use by their employees.

He noted that currently imported PPEs like full body harness, earmuff, earplug, N95 mask, and eyewear were subjected to a range of between five percent and 20 percent import duty, besides the 10 percent sales tax.

PPEs are designed to protect workers from workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards.

They include devices and garments such as goggles, gloves, vests, earplugs, respirators and safety shoes.