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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) — The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has suggested that the Finance Ministry seriously consider, for the 2015 Budget, its proposals to help industries and employers promote occupational safety and health to reduce workplace and commuting accidents.
Its chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye in a statement said this could be done by granting tax rebate for imported personal protective equipment (PPE) to make them more affordable to employers and available for use by their employees.
“Presently, imported PPE like full body harnesses, earmuffs, earplugs, N95 masks, eye wear, etc. are subjected to between five per cent and 20 per cent import duty, besides the 10 per cent sales tax.
“Any tax rebate for good quality PPE which are not available locally will be an incentive, which the government can provide to encourage greater use of PPE to promote safety and health at the workplace,” he said.
PPE are designed to protect workers from workplace injuries or illness resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards.
Lee said the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994 required the use of PPE to reduce employees’ exposure to hazards at the workplace.
“However, employers are complaining of the high price of imported PPE for workers.
“Hence, they may resort to other alternatives such as buying cheaper products with lower quality, which is not advisable for use as they can expose employees to injuries and diseases,” he said. — BERNAMA
Source: Bernama
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