🧯 What Is ITP in the Context of CIMAH?
Under Regulation 17 of the CIMAH Regulations 1996, every organisation that’s required to comply under the CIMAH Regulations is legally required to provide sufficient information to the public regarding the hazards associated with its operations.
This is known as Information to the Public (ITP), and it plays a critical role in:
- Enhancing community awareness
- Ensuring public preparedness
- Building trust and transparency between industry and local communities
📋 What Must Be Included in the ITP?
According to the DOSH Guidance Document (2023 Edition), the following must be communicated:
| 🔍 Topic | 📄 What to Include |
|---|---|
| Nature of the activity | Description of the facility and hazardous substances handled |
| Identification of hazards | Types of major accident hazards that could occur |
| Potential effects | Consequences of accidents on human health and the environment |
| Preventive measures | Systems in place to prevent major accidents |
| Emergency response | What the public should do in case of an emergency, and who to contact |
💡 The ITP should be written in clear, simple language — free from technical jargon — and made available in Bahasa Malaysia and other local languages where necessary.
🏘️ Who Should Receive This Information?
The ITP must be distributed to all members of the public who are likely to be affected by a potential major accident — usually within a defined emergency planning zone (EPZ), which could extend several kilometers from the site depending on the substances involved.
This includes:
- Residents
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Businesses
- Local authorities
📦 Formats of ITP Distribution
The guidance suggests multiple communication channels:
✅ Leaflets or brochures
✅ Posters in community centers
✅ Local council briefings
✅ Dedicated webpage or downloadable PDF
✅ SMS alerts or mobile apps (for larger organizations)
ℹ️ Note: A record of all distributions and communications must be maintained to show compliance with Regulation 17.
🔄 How Often Must the ITP Be Updated?
- Minimum: Every 3 years
- Mandatory: After any major change in operations or when new hazards are introduced
- Best Practice: Re-distribute after emergency drills or near-miss events
🛠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using overly technical language
❌ Failing to translate into local language
❌ Ignoring transient populations (e.g., students, foreign workers)
❌ Not tracking distribution records
❌ Omitting emergency contact info
🧠 Why ITP Is More Than Just Compliance
ITP isn’t just a regulatory checkbox. It:
- Builds community trust
- Improves response time during an actual emergency
- Reduces panic and misinformation
- Encourages a culture of safety and transparency
👷 Need Help Crafting Your ITP?
At PLC Group, we help industries:
- Draft ITP content in compliance with CIMAH
- Design multilingual brochures and emergency posters
- Train staff to engage with the public and authorities
📩 Contact us to ensure your ITP meets both legal and community expectations.
