Ensure your organisation complies with the
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514) and the
OSHA Amendment Act 2022 (Act A1648).
We help Malaysian employers implement legally compliant
workplace risk assessments,
occupational safety policies,
hazard control procedures, and
DOSH audit preparation.
Avoid penalties up to RM500,000, protect your workforce,
and ensure your operations meet modern workplace safety standards.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), enforced by DOSH Malaysia (Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan), is the primary legal framework governing workplace safety across Malaysia. The Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1648) — effective 1 June 2024 — extends mandatory compliance to every workplace in Malaysia, including the public sector, remote work environments, and all employment categories: permanent, contract, gig, and foreign workers.
For employers managing foreign workforces, OSHA compliance does not operate in isolation. It intersects directly with accommodation standards, immigration status, and supply chain audit requirements. A fully compliant operation must align Act 514 with the following frameworks:
Ringkasan Pindaan Akta A1648: Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (Pindaan) 2022 memperluaskan skop pematuhan kepada semua sektor ekonomi termasuk sektor awam. Majikan wajib melaksanakan penilaian risiko (HIRARC), melantik Penyelaras KKP bagi premis yang layak, dan memastikan semua pekerja — termasuk pekerja asing dan kontrak — dilindungi di bawah sistem kerja yang selamat mengikut garis panduan DOSH Malaysia.
Under Act 514 and Act A1648, employers must provide and maintain safe systems of work, document HIRARC risk assessments, and ensure hazard controls are implemented. Liability now extends explicitly to contractors, subcontractors, and foreign workers — not just direct employees on payroll.
OSHA 2022 extends protection beyond physical injury to cover psychosocial hazards — workplace stress, harassment, and mental health risks. Employers must implement ergonomic workplace design, mental health awareness programmes, and documented emergency preparedness procedures for all worker categories.
DOSH Malaysia conducts scheduled and unannounced inspections and is empowered to issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, or immediate stop-work orders. Non-compliance penalties reach RM500,000 per offence, with imprisonment for responsible officers. Obstruction of DOSH inspectors is itself a separate criminal offence.
Implementing a documented Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) aligned with ISO 45001:2018 provides systematic hazard control, incident tracking, and management review cycles. It also satisfies the documentary evidence requirements DOSH inspectors look for — and strengthens your position in RBA and SMETA audits under the Health & Safety pillar.
Full OSHA compliance is a scored ESG indicator for institutional investors and global supply chain auditors. It feeds directly into RBA CoC v8.0 Health & Safety scoring, SMETA audit outcomes, and corporate sustainability reports. Non-compliance creates ESG disclosure risk beyond the immediate regulatory penalty.
A documented OSHA-compliant workplace reduces incident rates, lowers absenteeism, and demonstrates to workers — including foreign workers — that their safety is a managed priority. For employers managing foreign worker accommodation and welfare, a safe hostel and a safe workplace are both statutory obligations that reinforce each other under Act 514 and Act 446 respectively.
Need guidance on OSHA 1994 (Act 514) compliance obligations, HIRARC documentation, or OSH Coordinator (Penyelaras KKP) requirements for your organisation?
The 2022 amendment is the most significant update to Malaysia's occupational safety framework in 30 years. This summary helps HR managers, safety officers, and business owners understand their new obligations before a DOSH inspection occurs — not after. Use this alongside our Act 446 accommodation compliance guide and RBA CoC v8.0 guide for a complete employer compliance picture.
Act A1648 removes the previous public sector exemption. Government agencies, GLCs, remote work arrangements, and all private employers — including those managing foreign worker operations — are subject to the same OSHA obligations effective 1 June 2024.
Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) documentation is a legal requirement, not a best-practice recommendation. DOSH inspectors check for HIRARC records during unannounced visits. Absence of documentation is treated as a stand-alone offence regardless of whether an incident has occurred.
Qualifying workplaces must appoint a certified Penyelaras KKP (OSH Coordinator). This individual is responsible for safety monitoring, HIRARC maintenance, and liaison with DOSH. The appointment must be documented and the Coordinator's certificate kept on record at the premises.
The previous maximum fine of RM50,000 has been increased tenfold. Each distinct violation is a separate offence. For employers managing large workforces across multiple sites, cumulative penalties from a single DOSH inspection can exceed operational recovery capacity. Prevention is the only viable strategy.
Key questions Malaysian employers ask about the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), the 2022 amendment, workplace risk assessments, and safety obligations for companies employing local and foreign workers.
OSHA compliance is no longer optional. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514) and OSHA Amendment 2022 (Act A1648), employers must actively manage workplace risks, maintain proper documentation, and ensure a safe working environment.
Andaraya (M) Sdn Bhd helps you implement core OSHA frameworks — from HIRARC risk assessments and OSH Coordinator support to DOSH inspection readiness — ensuring your operations remain compliant, audit-ready, and aligned with ESG expectations.
