Violence against frontliners an occupational safety concern - MSOSH
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) has called for greater attention to violence against frontline workers, describing it as an occupational safety concern.
The Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH) has highlighted the issue of violence against frontline workers, emphasizing that it represents an occupational safety concern. MSOSH President Datuk Ahmad Fakhrul Anuar Ismail stated that risks to the personal safety of these workers should be addressed through occupational safety and health (OSH) measures, not just through crime and law enforcement.
Workplace violence can include intimidation, threats, and physical assaults on workers, whether they are in offices, industrial settings, or directly interacting with the public.
This issue extends beyond traditional hazardous environments like factories and construction sites; frontline personnel such as law enforcement officers, rescue teams, and healthcare workers are also at risk. Fakhrul Anuar pointed out that human aggression can pose a threat that needs to be identified, assessed, and controlled based on the work and operational conditions.
He stressed that risk assessments for violence should be integrated into work planning, especially for operations involving public interaction or unpredictable situations.
MSOSH believes that violence against workers, particularly frontline personnel, must be a priority in the development of national OSH policies, strategies, and programs, including the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2030 (OSHMP 2030). Fakhrul Anuar praised the professionalism and dedication of security and emergency agencies that often face high-risk situations. He also expressed sympathy for a police officer who had his hand severed in an attack by a foreign national in Desa Aman Puri, Kepong.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that doctors had successfully reattached the severed hand of the injured policeman.
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