Safety by Design: Duties of Plant Manufacturers

Under Section 20, anyone who designs or manufactures "plant" (machinery or equipment) for use at work must ensure it is constructed to be safe and without risks to health when properly used. They are also required to carry out necessary testing and provide adequate information regarding the equipment's intended use and safety conditions.

The 2024 amendments increased the penalty for breaching these supply-chain duties under Section 23 to a fine not exceeding RM200,000. This ensures that importers and suppliers cannot simply pass off dangerous equipment to employers, but must instead provide a guarantee of safety and updated technical information throughout the equipment's lifecycle.