KUALA TERENGGANU, 29 May 2003 - A programme for the Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) initiated by the Department of Occupational, Safety and Health (DOSH) will witness the participation of the OPTIMAL Group of Companies as mentor to a Terengganu-based SMI, Gim Zam Plywood Sdn Bhd (GZP).

Under the programme, the OPTIMAL Group of Companies which is an affiliate of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) and the Dow Chemical Company (Dow) of the US, will assist GZP to enhance its Heath, Safety and Environment (HSE) standard.

A signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was held at the DOSH Office today between OPTIMAL and GZP to mark the commencement of the mentoring programme.

The programme which will be conducted over a period of one year, will involve three to four trained HSE personnel from OPTIMAL providing the necessary review, training as well as audit for GZP.

HSE programmes to be carried out during the period will include understanding legal requirement, HSE management, workplace hazards, industrial hygiene, electrical and chemical safety, material handling and storage, personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as environmental awareness.

“The participation by OPTIMAL in this programme is part of a key component of our community services initiative. As such, we are indeed pleased to be able to play a proactive role in supporting efforts initiated by DOSH to enhance the overall occupational health, safety and environment standards of SMIs in the country,” said Albertus Visser, OPTIMAL HSE Manager.

“We laud DOSH’s initiative in this area and believe that all companies including SMIs should strive to adopt the highest HSE standards for this will reduce and ultimately eliminate injuries at production sites, minimize health risks amongst employees apart from promoting conservation of the surrounding environment,” he added.

At OPTIMAL, a majority of the Group’s 650 employees undergo rigorous on-the-job training either locally or abroad to ensure that they are fully equipped with the knowledge and operating skills vital for the safe operations of the petrochemical complex.

To ensure best practices in HSE, OPTIMAL has invested over RM40 million to-date for the purchase of various fire fighting equipment, an integrated fire alarm system, emergency response and online gas detection equipment, fire protection systems as well as waste management and waste collection facilities.

In recognition of its proactive HSE practices, OPTIMAL has received numerous awards and accolades which include the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health prestigious Gold Award in 2002 and the Dow Chemical Company ‘Responsible Care Award for Environmental Health and Safety’ excellence during its project stage in 2002.

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