Chemical Management
Chemicals are widely used all over the world including in Malaysia because the use of chemicals can help to improve daily life and bring various benefits to humans. Although they can help improve daily life, some chemicals can pose threats to human safety and health as well as the environment. These threats can cause acute or chronic effects, for which the cure is almost impossible.
Some examples of chemicals that have been proven to be harmful to health through studies are asbestos, benzene and formaldehyde. Agencies such as The US Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified asbestos as a substance that can cause cancer in humans. In Malaysia, asbestos is still used as a building material and vehicle components. This has the potential to increase the risk of diseases such as lung cancer and asbestosis for a large group of industrial workers in the country. Benzene, one of the substances used to produce polymers and plastics, has also been classified as a carcinogenic chemical by the same agencies. Another chemical that was newly classified as a carcinogen by IARC in 2011 is formaldehyde, a chemical that is often used to produce adhesives in this country. The number of workers involved in the manufacture and handling of chemicals that are harmful to health is very large and therefore, their welfare must be emphasized.
This is where we, the Occupational Safety and Health Department, need to play a role to protect workers and also the public indirectly. Any occupational safety and health issues associated with chemicals can be comprehensively reduced through planned management and handling of chemicals. In addition, Chemical Management Division which acts as a think tank to the Department to look at current chemical issues and incorporate the latest innovative ideas into existing legislative instruments to ensure a holistic approach and sustainable management of chemicals in the workplace. All relevant regulations and guidelines have been listed as below and further information on each topic can be accessed via the relevant hyperlinks.
The Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Exposure Standards of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000 (USECHH Regulations) were developed to provide a legal framework to control exposure to chemicals hazardous to health in the workplace.
This regulation is also to set standards for exposure to chemicals that are hazardous to the health of workers in the workplace.
If a chemical is not listed in Schedule I or II but is classified as a chemical hazardous to health under the CLASS Regulations and is used in the workplace, the chemical will be subject to the USECHH Regulations.
Self Assessment Checklist USECHH Regulations 2000
The Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheets of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013 (CLASS Regulations) were gazetted on 11 October 2013.
The CLASS Regulation is a regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514). The CLASS Regulation replaces the Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 1997 (CPL Regulations). The CLASS Regulation is a control in the form of legislation to ensure that suppliers provide sufficient information regarding the hazards of chemicals to ensure that the risk of accidents and occupational diseases that may arise from activities carried out in the workplace can be controlled to a low level, thereby providing a safe and healthy workplace environment and conditions.
Under the CLASS Regulation, suppliers are required to carry out classification, labelling, preparation of Safety Data Sheets, packaging and submission of chemical inventory information. In this regulation, a supplier is defined as a person who supplies hazardous chemicals, and includes primary suppliers (a supplier who formulates, manufactures, imports, recycles or reformulates hazardous chemicals) and subsidiary suppliers (a supplier who repackages, distributes or retails hazardous chemicals).
The CPL Regulations, which were previously used as a mechanism to control the supply of hazardous chemicals to the workplace in Malaysia, came into force on 15 April 1997. However, given that the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is now being actively implemented worldwide, Malaysia has also taken proactive steps to implement GHS in the industrial sector with the gazetting of the CLASS Regulations to replace the existing CPL Regulations.
More information:
- Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheets of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013
- *The document contains Malay (pages 1-37) and English (pages 38-72)
- Industry Code of Practice on Chemical Classification and Hazard Communication, 2014 [ ZIP ] [ PDF ]
- *Only the version of the document displayed here is adopted by DOKKP
- Notification Letter of the Gazette of the Industry Code of Practice for Chemical Classification and Hazard Communication
- List of Hazard Statements and Precautionary Statements
- List of Hazard Pictograms
- Express Labeling Self-Assessment (ELSA)
- (Self-check of labels for compliance with CLASS Regulations)
- Chemical Information Management System Website
- FAQ
- List of Chemical Testing Laboratories in Malaysia
- Guidelines and Flowchart for Applications to the Director General of DOSH for Classification Inconsistencies in the Industry Code of Practice
- CIMS Frequently Asked Questions
- CIMS FAQ Infographic
- CLASS 2013 Regulations Self Assessment Checklist
Indoor air quality describes how indoor air can affect health, comfort and ability to work. Some of the factors that affect indoor air quality are temperature, relative humidity, mold, bacteria, poor ventilation, and exposure to chemicals. Awareness of indoor air pollution is less than that of outdoor air pollution. However, the issue of indoor air quality has gained public attention due to newly discovered air pollutants, modern building designs that separate indoor and outdoor environments, and the increase in cases of sick building syndrome.
Poor indoor air quality will contribute to discomfort, health impacts, absenteeism and low productivity. Good indoor air quality will have a positive impact on the health of building occupants as well as contribute to comfort and well-being. Among the health impacts caused by poor indoor air quality are Legionnaires' disease, cancer due to radon exposure and carbon monoxide poisoning. For wider health impacts, there are effects such as allergies and asthma due to exposure to pollutants such as dust and mold, discomfort due to extreme cold, airborne infectious diseases and symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome such as dizziness and headaches, extreme fatigue, skin problems and others. These health effects and impacts will contribute to medical treatment expenses, sick leave and lack of productivity for the occupants of the building concerned.
In 2010, the Department introduced the Indoor Air Quality Industry Code of Practice 2010 to improve workplace compliance. Activities involving indoor air quality issues involve investigating complaints received from employees. The procedure for making a complaint can be referred to in the Indoor Air Quality Industry Code of Practice 2010. The investigation process usually involves 5 main activities, namely an initial visit to the complaint site, measuring the level of contaminants contained in the complaint site, data analysis, discussions with employers and the production of a report.
ICOP IAQ 2010
This Industry Code of Practice is known as the Industry Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality 2010 which was approved by the Minister of Human Resources on 30 August 2010 and will replace the Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality which was launched by the Minister of Human Resources in July 2005.
Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for a healthy indoor work environment. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems. Health problems commonly associated with poor IAQ include allergic reactions, respiratory problems, eye irritation, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. IAQ problems occur in buildings equipped with mechanical ventilation and air conditioning (MVAC) systems including split air conditioning units. IAQ problems can be caused by indoor air pollutants or inadequate ventilation.
There are many sources of air pollutants and some of the common sources are environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) released by burning tobacco products; various chemicals such as formaldehyde released from decorations; volatile organic compounds released from the use of solvents; and ozone released by photocopiers and laser printers. It is important to note that ETS was identified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2002 and exposure to ETS increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
This code of practice is formulated to ensure that workers and residents are protected from poor air quality which can affect their health and well-being, and thereby reduce their productivity. The duties of employers and self-employed persons towards their employees are as stipulated under Section 15 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA), while Section 17 of the OSHA stipulates that these duties are also general duties of employers and self-employed persons towards persons other than their employees.
This Industry Code of Practice also emphasises the duties of an occupier of a workplace towards persons other than its employees as set out in Section 18 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. An occupier is a person who is involved in the management or has control over the workplace. This duty must be exercised towards persons who are not its employees but who carry out work on its premises. Compliance with this Industry Code of Practice can be used as evidence of good practice in court.
Table 1: Acceptable ranges for specific physical parameters
| Parameters | Acceptable Range |
| (a) Air temperature | 23 – 26 °C |
| (b) Relative humidity | 40-70% |
| (c) Air movement | 0.15 – 0.50 m/s |
Jadual 2: Bahan cemar udara dalaman dan had boleh terima
| Indoor Air Pollutants | Acceptable Limit | ||
| ppm | mg/m3 | cfu/m3 | |
| Chemical Contaminants (a) Carbon Monoxide (b) Formaldehyde (c) Ozone (d) Respirable Particles (e) Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) | |||
| 10 0.1 0.05 – 3 | – – – 0.15 – | – – – – – | |
| Bahan Cemar Biologikal (a) Total Bacterial Count (b) Total Fungal Count | – – | – – | 500* 1000* |
| Petunjuk prestasi Pengalihudaraan (a) Carbon Dioxide | C1000 | – | – |
Note:
- For chemical pollutants, the limit is the eight-hour weighted average air concentration.
- mg/m3 is milligrams per square meter of air at 25°C and one atmosphere pressure.
- ppm is parts of vapor or gas per million parts of polluted air by volume.
- cfu/m3 is a colony forming unit per cubic meter.
- C is a ceiling limit that must not be exceeded at any time. A reading above 1000 ppm is an indication of inadequate ventilation.
- * An excess bacterial count does not necessarily indicate a health risk but is an indication for further investigation.
Fungal Organism
Fungi are a type of fungus that is commonly found on the surface of the earth and accounts for 25 percent of the biomass on earth. Other related examples of fungi are yeast and mushrooms. Fungi are organisms that always exist on earth and act as decomposers of organic matter to maintain the continuity of plants and animals. Fungi are produced from filamentous cells called hyphae. Under suitable conditions, hyphae can grow into connected strings and form the body structure of the fungus or better known as mycelium. This mycelium can be seen with the naked eye. Fungi can reproduce through spores. However, fungi can also reproduce if some broken hyphae fragments are moved to an area with sufficient moisture and organic food.
There are several types of fungi that exist in the indoor environment, namely:
- Cladosporium
- Penicillium
- Alternaria
- Aspergillus
Causes of Fungal Growth
Fungi are incredibly resilient and adaptable. Fungi obtain their nutrients through the breakdown of organic matter. Most fungi found in indoor air are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on moist, dead organic matter such as wood, paper, paint, fabric, soil, dust, and raw or cooked food. Fungi can also grow on moist surfaces of inorganic materials such as glass and exposed concrete that are covered in invisible biofilms.
In general, there are several factors listed below that contribute to the growth of fungi in the built environment:
- Fungal spores that are always present in the air
- Nutrients such as impurities, cellulose dust and starch
- Temperature around 5oC to 50oC
- Consistent relative humidity above 70%
- Oxygen
Figure 1: Fungal Growth Factors
High humidity is one of the key elements that contribute to the growth of mold. Therefore, to prevent mold growth, any factors that can contribute to moisture in a building should be identified and eliminated. Low surface temperatures (below the dew point) of the air adjacent to walls or floors can cause condensation on those surfaces and if left untreated, they will become an ideal breeding ground for mold growth.
All fungi need a food source, water and time to germinate and grow. Some fungi can germinate in as little as 4 to 12 hours. If left undisturbed, fungi can grow and spread within 24 to 72 hours.
Endogenous fungal problems often occur when water damage occurs to organic material over a long period of time and repeatedly. Fungal spores can be carried into the indoor environment from the outdoor environment. Outdoor environmental factors that can affect fungal spore concentrations include marked shade, increased levels of organic debris and abandoned property.
Flooding, condensation, leaking pipes, window leaks and roof leaks are all potential sources of moisture leading to fungal infestation. Increased ambient humidity due to inadequate ventilation or incomplete drying is also a cause of fungal growth.
Potential Health Effects of Fungi
Fungi can cause a variety of health effects in humans. The severity of the impact depends on the type and amount of fungi present as well as the level of susceptibility and sensitivity of an individual exposed to the fungi. Humans are exposed to fungi through ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. Fungi cause acute health effects through inflammation, toxins, allergies or infections.
Sick Building Syndrome
"Sick building syndrome" is a commonly used name for illnesses that occur among residents due to poor indoor air quality.
Sick building syndrome describes a situation in which building occupants experience acute health and/or comfort effects related to time spent in a particular building, but no specific disease or cause can be identified. Complaints may be concentrated in a specific room or zone, or may encompass the entire building.
Some of these buildings may not be adequately ventilated. For example, mechanical ventilation systems may not be designed or operated to provide adequate amounts of outdoor air intake. In general, people have less control over the indoor environment in their offices than they do in their homes. Hence, there is an increased incidence of reported health problems.
Sometimes, building residents experience symptoms that do not fit the pattern of any particular illness and are difficult to trace to any specific cause. This phenomenon is labeled sick building syndrome. Symptoms that arise among “sick building” residents vary from eye and nose irritation, fatigue, cough, rhinitis, nausea, headache, sore throat or a combination of any of these symptoms.
Building-Related Diseases
A number of well-known illnesses, such as Legionnaires' disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, have been directly linked to specific building problems. These are called building-related illnesses. Most of these illnesses are treatable; however, some pose serious risks.
Legionnaires' disease is a building-related illness. It is a form of bacterial pneumonia characterized by fever, chills, and a dry cough associated with muscle aches and sometimes diarrhea. Legionnaires' disease got its name when people attending an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in July 1976 were infected with the disease. Pontiac fever is a less serious illness characterized by fever and muscle aches without symptoms of pneumonia.
The bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease, legionella pneumophila, will multiply in any environmental reservoir where its nutrient, water and temperature requirements are met, and enter the air when the environment is disturbed. The bacteria thrive at temperatures between 25°C and 45°C, with an optimum temperature of around 35°C. Although the organism is ubiquitous in the environment, airborne concentrations only occasionally reach levels sufficient to infect normal subjects.
Cooling towers and hot water systems in buildings have been identified as the primary source of these organisms. Without treatment of the water or adequate system maintenance, legionella can multiply and then spread throughout the building through the air handling system.
The Department was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of the agencies in the National Authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention (PBK KSK) to fulfill the requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention (KSK) and implement the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 which is regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Department is also responsible for addressing issues related to the management and safety of chemicals including chemical conventions. The Department plays an important role in assisting the PBK KSK to enforce the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 and the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations 2007. The Department has been given the responsibility of preparing national inspection procedures for chemical weapons by the National Inspector.
The Department was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of the agencies in the National Authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention (PBK KSK) to fulfill the requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention (KSK) and implement the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 which is regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Department is also responsible for addressing issues related to the management and safety of chemicals including chemical conventions. The Department plays an important role in assisting the PBK KSK to enforce the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 and the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations 2007. The Department has been given the responsibility of preparing national inspection procedures for chemical weapons by the National Inspector.
The members of the Authority are as follows:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the lead agency
- Ministry of Defense
- Ministry of Homeland Security
- Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOS) (Ministry of Human Resources)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Services (Ministry of Health)
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Environment
- Royal Malaysian Police
- Royal Malaysian Customs Department
- Pesticides Board
- Defence Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE)
More information:
The Department was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of the agencies in the National Authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention (PBK KSK) to fulfill the requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention (KSK) and implement the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 which is regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Department is also responsible for addressing issues related to the management and safety of chemicals including chemical conventions. The Department plays an important role in assisting the PBK KSK to enforce the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 and the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations 2007. The Department has been given the responsibility of preparing national inspection procedures for chemical weapons by the National Inspector.
The members of the Authority are as follows:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the lead agency
- Ministry of Defense
- Ministry of Homeland Security
- Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOS) (Ministry of Human Resources)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Services (Ministry of Health)
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Environment
- Royal Malaysian Police
- Royal Malaysian Customs Department
- Pesticides Board
- Defence Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE)
More information:
The table below is a list of chemicals and their precursors as specified in the act. For the purpose of implementing this Convention, these tables assist in identifying chemicals for verification and inspection purposes.
More Information:
- Table 1
- Table 2
- Table 3
One of the obligations under the Convention that Malaysia must fulfill is to submit an annual Declaration to the OPCW. Therefore, companies involved in activities related to Scheduled Chemicals and Non-Scheduled Discrete Organic Chemicals (BKOD) above the threshold quantity are required to submit an annual declaration to the National Authority. Submission of an annual declaration is mandatory under the CPC Act 2005. Therefore, failure to do so is an offence under the Act.
Activities related to Scheduled Chemicals that require annual declarations are as follows:
| Activities | Table 1 | Table 2 | Table 3 | BCODE |
| Income |  | | | |
| Process | | | – | – |
| Usage | | | – | – |
| Getting | | – | – | – |
| Save | | – | – | – |
| Import/Export | | | | – |
| Transfer (Local sales) | | – | – | – |
Any company that operates activities that require declarations must make an Annual Declaration for the Previous Year's Activities and also an Annual Declaration for Activities Planned for the Following Year to the National Authority.
Any company producing BKOD and also BKOD containing Phosphorus, Sulfur and Fluorine (PSF) elements must also submit an Annual Declaration of Activities for the Previous Year to the National Authority. However, a declaration is not required if the chemical mixture is 30% or less for Schedule 2B and Schedule 3 chemicals.
Further information regarding the declaration can be obtained from the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention (03 8000 8000).
All declarations for Previous Year Activities are subject to International Inspections sent by the OPCW Technical Secretariat. In addition, the workplace is also subject to National Inspections as provided for under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005.
Introduction to Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil and rock that is made up of fibers of varying sizes and shapes, has high resistance to heat and most chemicals. It is widely used to make various industrial goods, most notably roofing, insulation materials, ceramic flooring, asbestos cement products, automobile products (vehicle clutches and brakes), textiles, gaskets and protective coatings.
However, asbestos is a toxic chemical that can cause lung cancer and its use has been banned in most countries in the world. In 2006, the International Labour Organization (ILO) recommended that all countries in the world ban asbestos.International Labor Organization (ILO) has urged all countries to ban the use of asbestos.
The most common types of asbestos found in Malaysia are as follows:
Source: The Mesothelioma Centre, 2014
Current and Future Controls on the Use of Asbestos in Malaysia
Control of asbestos use in the workplace is carried out legally with enforcement such as:
- Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheets of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013 (CLASS Regulations) and Industry Code of Practice on Chemical Classification and Hazard Communication 2014 classifies asbestos (based on IARC classification) as Category 1 (known or presumed carcinogenic to humans)
- Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2000 requires workers to monitor asbestos exposure and medical surveillance (for substances listed under Table 2). The TWA (8 hours) for asbestos is 0.1 f/ml.
- Factories and Machinery (Asbestos Processes) Regulations 1986 controls all factories involved in the process of using asbestos, but does not apply to any building operations or engineering construction work. The TWA (8 hours) for asbestos is 0.1 f/ml.
- Factories and Machinery (Operation of Buildings and Engineering Construction Works) (Safety) Regulations 1986 covers the safety aspects of building operations and engineering construction work. Building operations include construction, repair or maintenance, demolition and others
- Occupational Safety and Health (Prohibition of Use of Substances) Order 1999 prohibits the use of crocidolite for all purposes except for research and analytical purposes.
This is to provide awareness and understanding to employers in addressing the problem of employee exposure and control to asbestos materials.
- SiRAC Online Brochure (Employer Module)
- SiRAC Online Brochure (Assessor Module)
- Issues related to Report Writing by Hygiene Technician 1
- Issues related to Report Writing by Indoor Air Quality Assessors
- Specific Guidance Note On Ventilation And Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) During COVID - 19 Pandemic
- Guidance Note on Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Asbestos Removal Application
- Generic Health Risk Assessment Brochure
- What is SiRAC?
- How to Run SiRAC
- Chemical Management Division eBulletin 2019
- Express Labeling Self-Assessment (ELSA)
- Express SDS Self-Assessment (ESSA)
- Quick Guide To Handle Ammonia Leak
- Chemical Management Division Function Brochure
- CLASS 2013 Rules Brochure
- Industry Code of Practice on Chemical Classification and Hazard Communication 2014 – Reverse Quick Training Method (RQTM)
- Chemical Information Management System (CIMS) – RQTM
- CLASS 2013 Rules – Labels
- CLASS 2013 Rules – Pictograms
- CLASS FAQ
- USECHH Regulations Brochure 2000
- USECHH Regulations 2000 – RQTM
- Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) – RQTM
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Brochure
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – RQTM
- Chemical Weapons Convention Brochure
- Quick to Chemsafe – Use and Control of Chemicals
- Issues related to Report Writing by CHRA Appraisers
- Quick Guide to Mercury Spill Handling
