Safety and health best practices is the main focus in convention

MiraGas Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stockists and dealers from Perak, Penang and Kedah gathered for a convention on safety and health today.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributors Convention 2022 was hosted in Sungai Petani, Kedah, by NGC Energy Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia.

DOSH Petroleum Safety Division Director Ir. Mohd Rosdee bin Yaacob officiated the convention, witnessed by the DOSH representatives from Putrajaya and the participating states.

Maintaining safety and health standards

“This collaboration between NGC Energy and DOSH is a joint initiative to ensure that the safety and health standards at LPG distribution centres are prioritised and maintained at the highest standards possible,” said NGC Energy Chief Executive Officer Julianna Kamaruddin.

“Given the nature of business and the products these centres are dealing with, the emphasis on safety and health is paramount and should not be underestimated.”

The convention was primarily structured to equip LPG gas distributors with legislation and requirements relating to the storage of Malaysian LPG and to share information on the risks and hazards.

It was also in keeping with the mission of DOSH to ensure the health and welfare of workplaces and the surrounding communities.

Efforts to promote public safety awareness

NGC Energy has maintained a close working relationship with DOSH in carrying out numerous initiatives for its MiraGas dealers, including self-audits and industry activity reports.

DOSH has also visited NGC LPG filling facilities in Pasir Gudang and Port Dickson.

“This NGC and DOSH team-up is also an ideal initiative that connects government agencies and private companies to promote public safety awareness,” said Julianna.

“This year is also notable as NGC Energy celebrates its 10th anniversary. Hand-in-hand with our MiraGas dealers, especially those who have been with us since our inception, we are glad to be of service in the distribution of LPG.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to safety and health, not only for our stores and dealers but also for society at large.”

Meanwhile, Mohd Rosdee said that it was timely that this event coincided with Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Week, which is celebrated in the second week of July nationwide every year.

“NGC Energy organized this convention to increase safety awareness among gas cylinder distributors. The storage areas of these products are categorized as Major Hazard Installation (MHI), or non-MHI, depending on the maximum quantity stored. As such, it is crucial that premise owners fully understand and adhere to the rules.”

He added that there was an urgent need to increase such awareness and, more importantly, adherence to the relevant guidelines and regulations.”

Sharing some DOSH statistics, Mohd Rosdee said it was heartening to note a 34 per cent decrease in occupational accidents between 2020 to 2021, with the ratio dropping from 2.18 to 1.43 per 1,000 workers, respectively.

Through DOSH’s continuous efforts, there has been a 58 per cent decrease in such incidents from 2011 to 2021.

In addition, DOSH, together with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, raised the awareness of employers, employees and medical practitioners to report cases of disease and poisoning in the workplace, with an increase in occupational disease reporting from 1,198 cases in 2011 to 9,822 in 2021.