Affordable N95 masks, workplace protection needed during haze, says Santiago

Charles Santiago, a former Klang MP, has called on the Malaysian government to make N95 masks more affordable for workers amid the recent haze affecting the country. In a statement, Santiago criticized the high cost of N95 masks, which reportedly range from RM40 to RM50 per box, as being prohibitive for employees who need protection throughout their working hours.

He argued that some jobs, such as delivery riders, construction work, and traffic personnel, cannot be performed indoors, leaving workers exposed to polluted air.

Santiago suggested that the government should negotiate bulk procurement of N95 masks to lower costs and ensure quality certification. He emphasized that employers must shoulder the responsibility for workplace protection, including providing suitable respirators and conducting risk assessments when needed. Santiago also proposed setting air quality thresholds to determine when outdoor work should be reduced or suspended during severe haze conditions.

He pointed out that other countries have implemented similar measures to guide workplace precautions during hazardous air quality.

This call for action comes in the wake of a recent request by NGOs ENGAGE and Projek Sama for free N95 masks to be distributed to schools, B40 families, and other vulnerable groups in Malaysia.