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Fundamental Principles of Prevention: Strategies for Health and Safety

The general principles of prevention (GPP) in Malaysia, as outlined by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), prioritize the elimination and reduction of risks in the workplace. These principles are hierarchical, meaning they should be applied in descending order of preference:

  1. Avoid risks: The most effective way to ensure safety is to eliminate hazards. This can be achieved through careful planning, design, and using inherently safer processes and materials.
  2. Evaluate unavoidable risks: If a hazard cannot be avoided, a thorough risk assessment should be conducted to understand its potential impact and likelihood.
  3. Combat risks at source: Once risks are identified, controls should be implemented to minimize their potential harm. This may involve using engineering controls (e.g., machine guards), administrative controls (e.g., safe work procedures), or personal protective equipment (PPE).
  4. Adapt work to the individual: Workplaces and tasks should be designed to accommodate workers’ capabilities and limitations. This includes ergonomic considerations, training, and job rotation.
  5. Adapt to technical progress: As technology evolves, workplaces should adopt safer and more efficient methods to reduce risks.
  6. Replace dangerous articles, substances or systems of work: Whenever possible, hazardous materials, equipment or processes should be replaced with safer alternatives.
  7. Develop a prevention policy: Set out how to protect your employees and other people from the hazards in your workplace according to your safety statement. Give priority to collective protective measures. It is better to put controls in place that protect everyone, rather than just handing out PPE to employees.
  8. Prioritise collective protective measures over individual ones: Collective protective measures, such as guardrails or ventilation systems, protect everyone exposed to the risk. Individual measures, like PPE, should only be used as a last resort or in conjunction with collective measures.
  9. Give training and instruction: Assess the risks and decide on your controls in line with the principles above. Tell your employees about them and make sure that they are competent to work safely.

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