Simply put, it means series of systems to try to stop people being harmed in the workplace. Harmed can mean an injury, like breaking an arm in a fall, or an illness, like suffering lung disease from breathing in paints or solvents. 'Systems' means the equipment you use to work and the ways in which you work, what you do.

We have workplaces here. Are you suggesting that it's OK for people to get hurt or injured at work just because we are in S E Asia?

Q.

Besides, doesn't it only apply to big companies like factories?

A.

No. In large workplaces with many employees organisations have, or should have, many systems to control things like how work is done and how things move around. In smaller workplaces hazards are generally more straightforward but risks are still there. Besides a third of all major workplace injuries are caused by people slipping and falling - how difficult is it to tidy up, or avoid wet floors?