Malacca Calls for Safeguards in Green Workplaces

MALACCA (Malaysia) April 2 (Bernama) -- Southern state of Melaka, which aspires to be a green technology city-state in 10 years time, wants world bodies responsible for the technology to ensure safeguards on its safety aspects are in order. Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said work hazards do not suddenly vanish when designers introduce green technology into construction projects. "Green jobs may reduce our carbon footprint but they do not always reduce existing hazards to workers, in some cases these technologies may actually bring new dangers into the workplace," he said when opening the 13th International Convention of Melaka Twin Cities here Tuesday. Themed "Occupational Safety and Health Culture Towards Inspiring World Class Quality in Organisations", the convention is held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Melaka achieving city status. About 500 representatives of more than 17 countries including Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Singapore, Iraq and Poland are attending the two-day convention. Mohd Ali said there were many concerns on workplace hazards in "green jobs" posed by the increasing use of nanotechnology. "This is not the time to be complacent...let's not delay only to find out years from now that thousands of workers were indeed at risk," he said. -- BERNAMA