I HAVE been attending safety meetings, conferences, seminars and functions organised either by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) over the years and the organisers never fail to ensure that short and concise safety briefings are given to the participants and invited guests before the start of the functions.
The purpose of these briefings by the hotel or convention centre operators is to inform the participants, invitees and guests what to do and how to vacate the hall through the appropriate exit doors in the event of an emergency, like for example, when fire breaks out.
Such informative briefings are essential to overcome any panic which may lead to a stampede, resulting in injuries or even death.
As one who is passionate about safety, I wish to propose that such safety announcements or briefings be practised at all functions organised by both the public or private sectors involving a big number of participants in a confined area like the hall or banquet and function rooms.
This should also be applicable even for private functions like an association’s anniversary celebration or even a wedding reception.
This will not require much effort. All the respective organisers need to do is to direct the hotels or convention centre, where the functions are held, to provide the safety briefings.
Why should safety and emergency briefings be only given at DOSH or NIOSH-organised functions.
Are we not taking seriously the issue of safety and making it a way of life? Or should we demonstrate it only when functions are related to safety and health?
The time has come for all event organisers, either from the government or private sectors, to value safety, adopt good and essential practices to protect lives.
Everyone should not only be aware of the importance of safety but also practise it daily and have it “embedded” in our life.
In this way, we can proudly say that we have made safety our culture and our way of existence.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,
Kuala Lumpur.
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