Malaysia Draft to amend safety controls on use of chemicals hazardous to health in Malaysia

Draft to amend safety controls on use of chemicals hazardous to health in Malaysia

Public comments for “Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) 202X” (hereinafter referred to as this draft) were collected from September to October 2020 in Malaysia. This draft fully revises the current regulations that have been in effect from April 4, 2000, to review Permissible Exposure Limit, review the object chemicals that require medical surveillance and eliminate overlaps or inconsistency with other regulations under Factories and Machinery Act 1967.

The original text of this draft can be downloaded from the following URL.
https://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php/list-of-documents/eparticipation/2020-1/3688-usechh-regs-amendment-202x-proposal-public-comment/file

The current regulations as of 2000 can be downloaded from the following URL.
https://www.dosh.gov.my/index.php/legislation/regulations/regulations-under-occupational-safety-and-health-act-1994-act-514/522-pua-131-2000-1/file

 

Chemicals hazards to health:

Chemicals hazards to health” referred to in this draft indicates the following chemicals:

    1. Chemicals listed in Schedule I, II, or III of this draft
    2. Chemicals classified in any hazard class specified under Health Hazards of First Schedule of the CLASS Regulations 2013
    3. Chemicals included in the definition of pesticide under the Pesticides Act 1974
    4. Chemicals listed in the First Schedule of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 1989

Schedule I of this draft stipulates 562 chemicals and their permissible exposure limits. In addition, Schedule II stipulates 27 chemicals (benzene, mercury, toluene, xylene, etc.) that require medical surveillance, and Schedule III stipulates five chemicals (asbestos, lead, mercury, pesticides and crystalline silica) that require hygiene facilities (such as shower facilities).

 

Record and submission of chemicals:

All chemicals hazardous to health processed, produced or stored must be recorded. The contents to be recorded are as follows.

    1. A list of chemicals hazardous to health
    2. SDS
    3. The average quantity processed, produced or stored per month or per year
    4. The process and work area of chemicals hazardous to health
    5. Physical form
    6. Hazard classification
    7. The name and address of the supplier of each chemical hazardous to health

Submission of the above records (except (2) and (4)) to the Director General of Occupational Safety and Health is newly required as a result of this revision. The records of the previous year shall be submitted by January 31 of each year.

Moreover, regulations such as measures for carcinogenicity category 1 chemicals and methods for emergency response will be newly added by this revision.

Author / Responsibility

AOKI Kenji

Senior Consultant, EnviX Ltd.
General Director, E&H Consulting Co., Ltd.

Business Performance

Expertise in EHS (environment, health and safety) consulting in ASEAN region.
- Environmental regulations updating
- Chemical regulations consulting

Background

MSc in Earth Science, The University of Tokyo

AOKI Kenji