Warning Signs and Hazard Control: Lessons from Workplace Safety Cases

Make fall hazards visible and control access

A Perak statement dated 13 August 2019 reported an RM30,000 fine after a worker died when a scaffold toppled on 4 March 2019. The notice described a failure to assess scaffold-related risks during construction work.

A Johor statement dated 22 August 2019 described an investigation into a fatal fall during school roof and ceiling work. The accident occurred on 18 August; the worker died the following day. DOSH issued a prohibition notice stopping the relevant work. This was an investigation notice, not a report of a court fine.

Two Johor statements issued on 26 August 2019 concerned the same fatal fall from the 27th floor during bricklaying on 26 October 2017. One company received an RM20,000 fine for inadequate supervision, while another received an RM15,000 fine for failing to provide a safe workplace at the open edge. The linked cases reinforce the responsibilities of each employer involved.

Act on prohibition notices

A Perak notice dated 28 November 2019 reported an RM20,000 fine for failure to comply with two prohibition notices. The concerns included uncertified scaffolding and unsafe falsework, formwork and rebar activities, with inadequate fall protection. A warning or stop-work instruction needs documented action and effective control of the affected area.

Protect workers and other people near the work

A Perak statement dated 10 October 2019 described a fatal incident involving a reversing bulldozer at a palm-oil mill. The victim was a visiting customer. The notice reported eight prohibition notices relating to machinery maintenance and five improvement notices, together with instructions to address traffic management and the safety of outsiders.

A Selangor excavation case decided on 11 November 2024 resulted in combined fines of RM61,000 against a contractor and subcontractor. The poster described unsafe site access, an unsafe system for sewer-pipe excavation and failure to promptly notify DOSH of a fatal accident. These issues relate to protecting people who may enter or pass near hazardous work.

Plan maintenance, lifting access and specialist tasks

A Johor case decided on 29 April 2025 resulted in an RM70,000 fine for failure to provide a safe system for mobile scissor-lift work associated with a fatal accident.

A paper-manufacturing notice reported an RM50,000 fine following a fatal fall during dust-cleaning work at a pulper conveyor. The notice dated the offence to 27 December 2023 and highlighted risk assessment, fall prevention and stopping and isolating machinery for cleaning.

The folder also includes a Kuala Lumpur statement dated 20 August 2025 reporting an RM50,000 fine for inadequate supervision of resistance-testing work associated with an accident on 20 May 2022.

Turn hazard communication into action

Place clear warnings at the point where people approach a hazard.
Support signs with suitable barriers, edge protection, safe access and traffic separation.
Brief workers and contractors before high-risk or unfamiliar tasks.
Assign responsibility for inspections and corrective actions.
Follow the conditions of safety notices and verify controls before affected work resumes.

The supplied cases concern wider hazard control; they should not all be read as prosecutions specifically for missing warning signs.

Source: DOSH/JKKP enforcement notices and supporting materials supplied in the corresponding topic folder. Repeated images of the same case are consolidated. Dates and fines describe the historical cases shown, rather than current maximum penalties.