Timely reminder from NIOSH chairman

This timely reminder couldn't come at a better time.

Don’t retrench workers at the expense of safety, urges Niosh

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) has cautioned employers not to introduce or implement cost-cutting measures at the expense of the safety and health of their employees.

Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said while Niosh realised that employers would have to take measures to cut costs because of the economic downturn, safety should still be a key issue at the workplace.

“Companies must not cut costs when it comes to maintaining a safe plant and machinery, providing personal protective equipment or even investment in occupational safety and health in general,” he said.

This was because if accidents occurred and lives were lost, productivity would be affected and employers would have to endure greater losses in terms of work stoppage, medical payment, compensation and others, he said in a statement.

Lee also said as workers must be assured of their rights to a safe and healthy work environment, there was a need to provide them with information, education and training so that they would know how best to protect themselves. — Bernama

building collapse in Shanghai

Construction manager detained for fatal building collapse in Shanghai
2008-12-23 23:14:48

SHANGHAI, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The construction manager who oversaw the construction of a building that collapsed in Shanghai, killing three workers and injuring seven others, was detained Tuesday, local authorities said.

The top floor of six-story plant under construction collapsed at 10:13 a.m. Sunday in Fengxian District. The building belongs to the Shanghai Dehua Metal Netbelt Co. Ltd.

The company neither submitted application nor obtained government approval for construction. No bidding was held before the construction, according to a notice on the Web site of Fengxian District government. read more

Seven dead in Pakistan building collapse

Seven dead in Pakistan building collapse
Posted: 25 December 2008 1553 hrs from Channel news asia


KARACHI -
The building in the city of Sukkur, some 370 kilometres (230 miles)
northeast of Karachi, was reduced to rubble when it came down at about 3:00am (2200 GMT Wednesday).

"Seven people have been killed and 17 others are injured," senior police official Hameed Khosa said, adding that substandard construction materials may have been used went the building went up six months ago.


So sad that this kind of preventable things still happening. Moreover Pakistan is in earthquake area.

X'mas eve with Chat

Chat play host for my 1st x'mas in KK. He is being kind to take me to ronda2 the city going to Tg Aru, thru the city then have a drink at a kopitiam.
The feeling is that the x'mas decoration here is not as extensive as what being describe to me over the years. Economics tsunami could be the culprit for the reduced expense.

Part of a game

Last week while in KL, me drop by a condo job-site to meet PH Goh after office hour. We walked over to Pavillion to have a coffee. never has a cup of java with him before. Those days it's coke, then beer (somebody told me that he is into wine while in beijing) and lately chinese tea.
Goh mentioned that his beer days has reaches it's quota. maybe true as he spend a few years in carlbergs right after college.
Goh used to be very very serious in whatever he is doing. In fact too engrossed and his determination is quite irritating as compared to our easy going way. Yoon as usual need to remind him that life journey is only part of the game.

Yoon

Yoon is my classmate from TAR college days, 1982. Those were the days we sit by the roadside near TBR mosque talking cock.
I still remember we go to look for our 1st job after college at PWTC. Currently he is at MRCB Shah Alam.

Friend n friendster

Friends I have a few. But then again did I do my part to enhance the friendship? I think not. Forgetting about birthdays and special dates is my frequent happening. What the heck. So be it. Thats what friend are for.

Nothing serious. Although I am a bit late (in fact very slow) in tech, I still try my hand in blog etc recently. Thanks God, at least blogging is not that difficult.

The younger generation keep in touch by facebook, friendster and sms. Finally I tried setting up my friendster page recently (after receiving numerous invitation to add over the past few years). I can tell you it's ain't easy for a middle age man, low tech lay man like me and the worst part is that I really don't know what to do about it. It's definitely not as simple as furnishing a house and inviting people to come to our house warming. Guess i have to let it cool down.

conclusion is I rather build a house than build a web-site.