Safety EN – Page 15 – Consumers Association Penang

Right To Confidentiality Of Personal Health Data Violated

admin February 24, 2016 0 Comments

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is distressed by the recent news that a group of hackers have hacked into the systems of both government and private hospitals and stolen the personal health data of tens of thousands of individuals - data which is then sold to pharmaceutical companies through information selling syndicates. The implications of this cyber theft is terrifying because...

Power Banks or Sand Banks?

admin February 19, 2016 0 Comments

Consumers buying power banks for their handphones at bargain prices are being ripped off by unscrupulous traders. We bought a few after consumers claimed that the power banks drained out very quickly compared to the size of the units. Opening up to look at the inside, we discovered that there were cheap batteries for power storage and also sand-filled battery casings to make up for the weight of...

Another Construction Site Accident Due to the Usage of Poor Temporary Structures

admin August 14, 2015 0 Comments

Such shock and disappointment we feel that another building under construction has had one of its floors collapse. Just like the incident in Alor Gajah 2 months ago, the temporary structure holding up the floors (that had not yet set) was not strong enough. It was reported that weak recycled items were used as the temporary structure. Why did the contractor decide this was the best way to go?...

Stop the motorcycle deaths

admin July 9, 2015 0 Comments

Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users owing to the instability of the vehicle as well as the little or no protection afforded during an accident. This coupled with the attitude of motorcyclists and lax enforcement has created a national disaster on our roads. Neither the authorities nor the people are sensitive or serious about the situation. Deaths on the roads become mere statistics...

Construction industry shut down

admin July 1, 2015 0 Comments

Just last week there was the news that the mezzanine floor of a hypermarket in Alor Gajah collapsed, resulting in deaths and injuries. Now, we have been presented with further shocking news that 92.5% of construction sites in the country do not meet specifications set by the Department of Safety and Health. Should Malaysia just stop constructing buildings? This might be the only way to ensure...

Foreign workers are not expendable

admin June 24, 2015 0 Comments

The news about the mezzanine floor of a hypermarket under construction collapsing yesterday at Pulau Sebang, Alor Gajah, Malacca, is shocking to say the least. Reports state that the mezzanine floor collapsed after the staging was removed. Fifteen foreign workers, turned victims, were said to have been inside the building at the time -- 3 are dead, 6 injured and another 6 are still missing. The...

Ban the sale of glyphosate-based herbicides

admin May 26, 2015 0 Comments

The Consumers Association of Penang calls on the authorities to ban the sale of glyphosate-based herbicides as it found to be hazardous to humans, wildlife and the environment. Glyphosate is the chief ingredient in Roundup weed killer, from Monsanto. In Malaysia there are about 172 herbicide products which contain glyphosate. Glyphosate is increasingly associated with health problems such as...

Growing evidence of illnesses and cancer among electronics workers

admin March 18, 2015 0 Comments

Global advocates challenge electronics industry to prevent harm from toxic chemicals The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), an industry association representing over 100 electronics companies, met in Brussels on 16 March 2015 to discuss chemical management strategies. At this meeting, a formal Challenge to the electronics industry endorsed by more than 200 civil society groups from...

Test Loom Bands and Clear Confusion

admin September 23, 2014 0 Comments

As of late there has been a lot of conflicting news in circulation about loom band and phthalates – a harmful chemical commonly found in plastic products. Looms bands have become a nationwide craze; popular among children and adults alike. Therefore it is a concern for us, the Consumer’s Association of Penang, that there are such contradictory reports on whether or not loom bands are safe....

Traffic law enforcement should not be seasonal

admin July 24, 2014 0 Comments

Year after year we have Ops Sikap, now changed to Ops Selamat, to stop the carnage from our road crashes during our festive seasons. Malaysia was ranked 20th globally for the most road deaths in 2011, according to the World Health Organization. Eighteen people are killed daily in road crashes and according to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), the figure is expected to rise...

Consumers Association Penang

Category: Safety EN