DOSH urges employers in Malaysia to control workers' exposure to haze

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Employers should assess indoor and outdoor workplace risks, maintain ventilation systems, and use suitable air filters to reduce employees’ exposure to haze-related air pollution, including fine particles.

Malaysia’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is urging employers to take measures to control employees’ exposure to haze, citing concerns over its potential impact on workers’ health.

In a media statement issued on 6 October 2026, DOSH said exposure to air pollution caused by haze could affect health if the risks were not properly controlled. The statement was issued by Ir. Ts. Hajah Hazlina binti Yon, Director-General, DOSH.

Under Section 15(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), employers are required to ensure, so far as is practicable, the safety, health and welfare of their employees at work.

As such, employers should identify and control the risks of haze exposure based on workplace conditions, whether employees work indoors or outdoors, DOSH said.

The department also advised employers to pay attention to indoor air quality, as pollutants from outside can still enter workplaces through ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as openings in buildings.

These pollutants include fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5).

To manage the risks, employers can ensure ventilation systems are properly maintained, control the entry of polluted outdoor air, and use appropriate air filters or air purifiers.

Employers can also refer to DOSH’s Guidelines for the Protection of Employees Against the Effects of Haze at Workplaces for guidance on managing workplace haze risks.

Control measures should be implemented based on risk assessments and workplace conditions, in line with the requirements of the Indoor Air Quality Industry Code of Practice 2010.

DOSH called on employers to take proactive and practical measures to control workers’ exposure to haze and maintain a safe and healthy workplace throughout the haze period.

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