Penang Occupational Accidents Drop, Commuting Accidents Increase

BUTTERWORTH, May 14 (Bernama) -- The rate of occupational accidents has shown a 35 per cent drop from 2000 to 2011, said Penang Occupational Safety and Health Department director Mohamad Anuar Embi.

He said 95,024 cases were reported to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) in 2000 while only 59,897 cases were reported in 2011.

However, he said the number of deaths involving employees at the workplace showed an increase with 1,254 deaths in 2011 compared with 1,004 reported in 2000.

Mohamad Anuar said the increase in deaths was attributed to road accidents involving workers commuting to and from work, which is increasing each year.

"Accidents have dropped at the workplace, but we fear that commuting accidents are on the rise," he told reporters after launching the 4th Occupational Safety and Health Conference here Monday.

Source : BERNAMA