The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (2004) which
quotes the data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1999, showed
an alarming rate of work-related mortality. The ILO estimated about 1.1.million
mortalities per year (based on 1990-95 data- source ILO 1999). Of this 25% were
due to injuries, 15% cardiovascular, 21 % chronic respiratory diseases, 5% due to
cancer and 34% others. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO)
Report 1997 on Occupational Health also reported a similar trend in workers
mortality. There were 120 million occupational accidents reported with 220,000
ended in deaths, 160 million reported with occupational illness (30-40 million may
lead to chronic diseases & 10% to permanent disability). What makes it more
alarming problem is that only 5-10% of workers in developing countries and 20-
50% in industrialized countries have access to adequate occupational service. A
number of implications can be drawn based on the above problems. First it either
implies that there is not much emphasis given on the importance of implementing
OSH policies. Or secondly, even with the implementation of OSH policies, the level
of compliance by the industries may be relatively low.