10 Mandatory Safety Trainings for Malaysian SMEs (2026)
Complete guide to mandatory workplace safety training under OSHA 1994 and DOSH regulations — what your company must provide, penalties for non-compliance, and HRDF claimability.
Malaysian employers must provide specific safety training under OSHA 1994 and DOSH regulations. Key mandatory trainings include fire safety, first aid, chemical handling (GHS), and working at height — depending on your industry.
10 Mandatory Safety Trainings — Complete List
| # | Training | Legislation | Who Needs It | Frequency | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fire Safety & Emergency Response | Fire Services Act 1988, OSHA 1994 | All employers with 5+ employees | Annually | Fine up to RM50,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years |
| 2 | First Aid & CPR Training | OSHA 1994, FMA 1967 | All workplaces (at least 1 first-aider per 25 workers) | Every 3 years (re-certification) | Fine up to RM50,000 |
| 3 | Chemical Safety (GHS/CSDS) | OSHA 1994, CLASS Regulations 2013 | Workplaces handling hazardous chemicals | Upon hiring + annually | Fine up to RM50,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years |
| 4 | Working at Height Safety | OSHA 1994, DOSH Guidelines | Construction, maintenance, and any work above 2 metres | Before commencement + annually | Fine up to RM50,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years |
| 5 | Confined Space Entry | OSHA 1994, Confined Spaces Regulations | Workers entering tanks, silos, sewers, tunnels | Before first entry + annually | Fine up to RM50,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years |
| 6 | Forklift / Heavy Machinery Operation | FMA 1967, DOSH Guidelines | Operators of forklifts, cranes, and heavy machinery | Upon hiring + every 3 years | Fine up to RM50,000 |
| 7 | Food Handling & Safety (Food Handler Training) | Food Act 1983, Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 | All food handlers in F&B, catering, manufacturing | Upon hiring (Typhoid injection every 3 years) | Fine up to RM10,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years |
| 8 | Noise Exposure & Hearing Conservation | OSHA 1994, Noise Exposure Regulations 2019 | Workplaces with noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A) | Upon hiring + annually | Fine up to RM50,000 |
| 9 | Electrical Safety Training | Electricity Supply Act 1990, OSHA 1994 | Electricians, maintenance workers, and anyone working near electrical systems | Upon hiring + every 2 years | Fine up to RM100,000 or imprisonment up to 5 years |
| 10 | Safety & Health Officer (SHO) Training | OSHA 1994, SHO Regulations 1997 | Companies with 100+ employees in high-risk sectors | One-time certification + continuous development | Fine up to RM50,000 |
*Penalties are subject to specific legislation. Verify current requirements on dosh.gov.my
Industry-Specific Safety Training Requirements
| Industry | Required Safety Trainings |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Fire safety, first aid, chemical handling, machinery operation, noise exposure, SHO |
| Construction | Working at height, confined space, fire safety, first aid, electrical safety, SHO |
| Food & Beverage | Food handling, fire safety, first aid, chemical safety (cleaning agents) |
| Oil & Gas | All of the above + specialised hazard training, permit-to-work systems |
| Office / Services | Fire safety, first aid, ergonomics (recommended), electrical safety |
| Retail / Hospitality | Fire safety, first aid, food handling (if F&B), manual handling |
How to Budget for Safety Training
Audit your compliance requirements
List all mandatory trainings required for your industry and workforce. Check which certifications are due for renewal and which new employees need initial training.
Use your HRDF levy
Most safety trainings are HRDF claimable when conducted by registered providers. This significantly reduces your out-of-pocket costs. Plan to use your levy strategically for safety compliance.
Schedule training in advance
Book safety training sessions at the start of the year to lock in rates and ensure availability. Group employees by training type for cost efficiency.
Track renewal dates
Maintain a spreadsheet or system to track certification expiry dates for all employees. Set reminders 2–3 months before expiry to schedule renewals on time.
HRDF Claimability Note
Most of the safety trainings listed above are HRDF claimable when conducted by HRD Corp-registered training providers and registered on e-TRiS. Use the SBL-Khas scheme for external safety training providers. This allows your company to fund mandatory compliance training from your HRDF levy balance rather than operational budget.
Learn how to claim HRDF for safety training →Frequently Asked Questions
Which safety trainings are mandatory for all Malaysian employers?
At minimum, all employers must provide fire safety and emergency response training, and ensure adequate first aid provisions. Additional requirements depend on your industry — manufacturing, construction, and F&B have more extensive mandatory training requirements under OSHA 1994 and sector-specific regulations.
Are safety trainings HRDF claimable?
Yes, most mandatory safety trainings are HRDF claimable when conducted by HRD Corp-registered providers. This includes fire safety, first aid, working at height, chemical handling, and food safety training. Submit claims under SBL-Khas for external training providers.
What happens if I do not provide mandatory safety training?
Penalties for non-compliance vary by legislation but can include fines from RM10,000 to RM100,000 and imprisonment of up to 5 years. DOSH can also issue stop-work orders, and employers may face increased liability in workplace accident investigations.
How often must safety training be renewed?
Renewal frequency varies by training type. Fire drills should be annual, first aid certification is every 3 years, and most hazard-specific training requires annual refreshers. Check the specific legislation and DOSH guidelines for each training type.
Do I need a Safety & Health Officer for my company?
Companies with 100 or more employees in designated high-risk industries (manufacturing, construction, mining, quarrying) must employ a certified Safety & Health Officer under OSHA 1994. Smaller companies may need a safety committee instead.
Can online safety training fulfil the mandatory requirement?
Some theoretical components can be delivered online, but most mandatory safety training requires practical, hands-on components that must be conducted in person. For example, first aid and CPR require physical practice, and fire drills must be conducted at the actual workplace.
Find Safety Training Providers in Malaysia
Browse DOSH-approved and HRD Corp-registered safety training providers. Ensure compliance and claim costs through HRDF.
Browse Safety Training Providers →Latihan Keselamatan Wajib untuk PKS Malaysia — Ringkasan dalam Bahasa Melayu
Majikan di Malaysia wajib menyediakan latihan keselamatan tertentu di bawah Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (OSHA) 1994 dan peraturan JKKP. Latihan wajib utama termasuk keselamatan kebakaran, pertolongan cemas, pengendalian bahan kimia (GHS), kerja di ketinggian, dan kemasukan ruang terkurung. Keperluan khusus bergantung pada industri anda. Kegagalan mematuhi boleh mengakibatkan denda sehingga RM100,000 atau penjara. Kebanyakan latihan keselamatan ini boleh dituntut melalui HRDF apabila dikendalikan oleh penyedia berdaftar HRD Corp.
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Last verified: March 2026