Challenges in Developing Occupational Health Services in an Oil Gas Company in Malaysia

摘要

In the management of Health Safety Environment (HSE),rnemphasis is usually placed on safety due to its immediate andrngreat visual impact when accidents happen. This immediaterngreat visual impact generates keen media interest.rnOccupational illness and related death, on the other hand, tendrnto develop slowly and surreptitiously and many remainedrnundiagnosed. This being the case, they do not generate greatrnmedia interest and consequently remain overshadowed byrnsafety issues. It is therefore, crucial that health be consciouslyrnaddressed in the management of HSE. The development ofrnoccupational health services is to be in line with the HSErnPolicy statement of the organization as well as taking intornconsideration industry practice and statutory requirements ofrnthe country. As for safety, top management commitment is arnpre-requisite to the success of occupational healthrnmanagement. Health risk assessment determines the requiredrnoccupational health program. Standards for this can bernadopted from local laws and or industry or international codes.rnSuccessful implementation of occupational health programrnrequires competent personnel that are scarce making it one ofrnthe biggest challenges in Malaysia. For PETRONAS, arnnetwork of Regional Occupational Health Advisers (ROHAs)rnwas developed to serve and coordinate occupational healthrnservice for all the regions in the country and is supported byrnthe Regional Industrial Hygienists (RIHAs). Each OperatingrnUnit develops a team of health risk assessors and hygienerntechnicians. To conduct medical examinations andrnsurveillance, a group of Approved Medical Examinersrn(AMEs) are also appointed. All the ROHAs and AMEs arernrequired to be trained in occupational health.