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SOSHD 2013WORK OVERVIEW

WSH 2018 VISIONSafe and Healthy Workplace for everyone and a country renowned for best practices

in Workplace Safety and Health

Reduc

tion

in

workplac

e fa

taliti

es

and in

jury

rate

s

WSH is an integral

part of business

Singapore is renowned as

a centre of excellence for

WSH A p

rogre

ssive

and p

erva

sive

WSH c

ultur

e

Develop strong partnerships locally and internationally

STRATEGY 4

Promote the benefits of WSH and recognise

best practices

STRATEGY 3

Implement an effective regulatory

framework

STRATEGY 2

Build strong capabilities

to manage WSH

STRATEGY 1

BuildingWSHCapabilitiesin the Workforce

Employers and relevant stakeholders must be able to manage Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) issues before they can effectively drive WSH reforms and raise WSH standards. Therefore, it is critical that stakeholders – WSH professionals, management, line supervisors and workers – be equipped with the relevant skills and competencies to better comprehend, control and deal with WSH risks. These competencies go beyond technical knowledge of WSH matters and include the skills and behaviour that stakeholders must demonstrate or acquire.

To facilitate the building of strong capabilities, we also need to ensure that the necessary support frameworks are in place. There must be strong supporting institutions, including quality training providers to guide the identification and development of WSH competencies. Another key pillar would be the provision of supporting resources – from financial assistance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to guidance materials.

STRATEGY 1 – BUILD STRONG CAPABILITIES TO BETTER MANAGE WSH

Good WSH outcomes can only come about through conscious effort by all workers in managing safety and health at the workplace, and it is critical that we equip all workers with the necessary skills to do so.

Towards this end, OSHD has devised a comprehensive strategy under our WSH 2018 master plan to build WSH competencies in the workforce. Key outcomes we hope to achieve are:

• To grow the local pool of WSH professionals from 5,500 in February 2009 to 19,000 by 2018; and

• To equip WSH professionals and other stakeholders (e.g. senior management, line supervisors and workers) with WSH skills in tune with latest developments at the workplace.

Specific efforts to build WSH competencies include collaborating with the industry to develop WSH training programmes, as well as to regulate Accredited Training Providers in the delivery of these programmes. Competency frameworks are also developed for WSH professionals to help equip them with the necessary WSH expertise as well as to provide them with a flexible and clear career progression pathway.

Enhancing Competencies andCapabilitiesforWorkat Heights Safety To help the industry ensure that their personnel are adequately trained with the skills and knowledge needed to be competent to work safely at heights, the following initiatives were ushered in 2013:-

• LaunchofWorkatHeights(WAH)Courses A total of four WAH courses were launched in

2013. They were the WAH Course for Workers, Supervisors, Assessors and Managers. Besides imparting technical knowledge and skills, these courses also expound on the role played by each level of personnel in the organisation in ensuring the effective implementation of appropriate and suitable measures to prevent any person from falling from heights while at work.

• Train-the-Trainer(TTT)CourseforWAH A TTT course that was specially developed

to prepare all accredited trainers of WAH courses was launched in March 2013. The TTT WAH course aimed to equip all trainers with a comprehensive suite of practical fall prevention and protection measures including the use of the latest personal fall arrest system. It also served to ensure consistency of standard among the trainers when delivering WAH training for the benefit of the industry,

• Launch of the 2-day Construction SafetyOrientation Course (CSOC) incorporating WAH Elements

Falling from heights ranked the highest number of fatalities in the Construction Industry in 2012. The enhanced CSOC was targeted to help bring about the change by including WAH elements in its course curriculum such as practical training for working on sloping roof and the proper application of proper Personal Protective Equipment. With the enhancement, the CSOC was increased from a 1-day course to a 2-day course with effect from 1 May 2013. The aim was to provide the necessary safety training to all construction workers and to inculcate good and safe work practices in them.

201819,000

20095,500

20139,000

Local pool of WSH professionals

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Enhancing Competencies and CapabilitiesforCraneSafetyTo help the industry ensure that their personnel are adequately trained with the skills and knowledge needed to be competent to operate cranes safely, the following initiatives were ushered in 2013:-

• TrainingCourseforAppointedPersonsforLiftingOperations Singapore Standard SS 559:2010, Code of Practice on Safe Use of

Tower Cranes, stipulates requirement for an Appointed Person (AP) to establish and implement a programme for the safe installation, dismantling and use of the Tower Crane. The WSH Council's Code of Practice on Safe Lifting Operations in the Workplaces also stipulates the inclusion of an AP for complex lifting operations. As a capability building initiative for AP, the National Crane Safety Taskforce, in collaboration with MOM and WSH Council and working with the UK’s Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), IES (Institution of Engineers Singapore) and BCA (Building and Construction Authority) Academy launched a pilot 5-daytraining course on Appointed Persons for Lifting Operations in May 2013.

ManagementofHazardousSubstancesCourseOSHD continued its efforts to build industry capability on chemical safety management and hygiene monitoring. In 2013, 325 participants attended the Management of Hazardous Substances Course, and 11 participants attended the Sampling and Monitoring of Airborne Contaminants Course conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA). In addition, 28 participants attended the Manage Hazardous Substances Course under the Workforce Development Agency's (WDA) Occupational Hygiene Professionals Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Framework.

GHS Awareness Seminars and Courses During the year, two Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Awareness Seminars were conducted to raise awareness of hazard communication. A total of 11 runs of the GHS Chemical Users Course and one run of the Single Substance Classification Course were conducted to build industry capability in chemical classification and labeling. A new 11/2-day Course on GHS Classification for Mixture Course was introduced to prepare industry for mixture classification. In addition, a training workshop on GHS hazard communication was conducted for the Singapore Police Force and an awareness talk on GHS was conducted at Nanyang Technological University.

NationalAsbestosControlTraining Course Two training courses namely (i) Survey Asbestos and Other Fibres at the Workplace and (ii) Remove Asbestos from Workplace were developed by MOM, WSH Council and Workforce Development Agency (WDA) under the Singapore Workforce

• PracticalWorkshopforLiftingPersonnel A hands-on pilot Practical Workshop for Lifting Personnel was

launched at the Inaugural Crane Carnival Singapore 2013 on 17 November 2013. The workshop, held at BCA Academy, was intended to provide practical lessons and demonstration on good lifting practices in an interactive and engaging setting. The workshop intends to provide a platform for continual learning for lifting teams.

Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework to train persons to conduct asbestos surveys and remove asbestos respectively. The Remove Asbestos from Workplace course replaces the training course (developed by MOM and NEA) on Asbestos Removal and Management by Singapore Environmental Institute, which has trained a total of 613 competent persons for asbestos removal work over the last decade (from 2004 – 2013).

Confined Space Management Programme The Confined Space Management Programme aims to prevent deaths and injuries in confined spaces from gas poisoning, asphyxiation, fire and explosion through enhanced confined space hazard management in targeted workplaces. Under the WSH (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009, gas testing of the atmosphere of a confined space must be carried out by a competent person (designated as confined space safety assessor) and the confined space must be certified safe before entry into the space is allowed. A confined space safety assessor must have sufficient training and experience to perform the work required to be carried out under the law. Similarly people entering or working in a confined space must have first receive adequate safety and health training before such entry or work.

The training of confined space safety assessors, workers and supervisors has been streamlined in 2013. The existing Confined Space Safety Assessor Course has been replaced with the Assess Confined Space for Safe Entry and Work Course developed under the WDA's WSQ Framework. The current Safety Orientation Course (Manhole) for Workers and the Safety Instruction Course (Manhole) for Supervisors have also transitioned to the respective WSQ competency-based training courses namely (i) Perform Work in Confined Space Operations (for workers) and (ii) Supervise Work in Confined Space Operation (for supervisors).

Competency Delivery In addition to ensuring a curriculum that is validated against the best industry practices, we ensure the effective delivery of WSH courses by working hand-in-hand with our WSH training service providers to ensure the skill and quality of accredited trainers.

• Requirement of full Advanced Certificate in Training andAssessment (ACTA) for all Trainers

As part of the ongoing efforts to up skill and improve the quality of accredited trainers, MOM and WSH Council have mandated the pre-requisite for all trainers to complete and attain the full 6 Competency Units of WSQ ACTA by 2014.

• AuditofAccreditedTrainingProviders(ATP) A total of more than 40 ATP audits were carried out throughout

2013. It also included audits on new ATPs embarking on the new 2-day Construction Safety Orientation Course which encompass the Work at Heights components. More than 40% of the total audits conducted were attributed by investigation cases arising from complaints, whistle blowers and feedback from trainees. The audits outcome resulted in 9 ATPs issued with warning notifications, 3 ATPs issued with suspension ranging from 2 to 4 weeks while 2 ATPs had their ATP status cancelled due to integrity and fraud. Some of the common findings include failure to adhere to the stipulated training hours, providing answers to trainees and using of unapproved trainers to conduct MOM accredited courses.

• WSHTrain-the-Trainers(T3)Programme In our efforts to facilitate WSH trainers to be well-equipped

in technical and soft skills to ensure effective delivery and communication of up-to-date WSH knowledge to the workforce, the WSH Institute, in collaboration with key stakeholders, including Ngee Ann Polytechnic, initiated a continuing education and training programme known as the WSH Train-the-Trainers (T3) Programme. T3 is targeted at WSH training providers, trainers and curriculum developers. In 2012, close to 430 participants from around 240 companies participated in the T3 programme seminars and workshops which covered the following topics: • Managing Work at Heights • Managing Confined Space Work • Managing Chemicals and Hazardous Substances • Fall Prevention Plan for Work at Heights Safety

A WSH T3 Advisory committee was also appointed by the WSH Institute in July 2012. The committee comprises key stakeholders who represent WSH training providers, WSH trainers, professional bodies and organisations that include the WDA, Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), and WSH Council.

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BuildingWSHCapabilitiesin the Industry DevelopingWSHcapabilitiesintheindustryisanother key aspect of OSHD’s work. Towards this end, practical assistance on WSH management is provided to the industry in the form of resources such as financial assistance, technical advisories, videos,guidebooks,specialassistancekitsandonline WSH e-toolkits. OSHD also implements programmes to develop progressive and pervasive WSH culture in the industry – a key outcome under our WSH 2018 master plan.

bizSAFEIn Singapore, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with annual sales turnover of not more than S$100 million or less than 200 employees account for about 99% of the total enterprises. In view of this, the WSH Council launched the bizSAFE programme in 2007 to guide participating SMEs through a five-step approach to raise their WSH management capabilities.

Larger organisations with strong WSH capability and leadership were enlisted as mentors and partners. bizSAFE Partners help to raise overall industry WSH standards by encouraging their contractors and vendors to participate in bizSAFE while bizSAFE Mentors share their best practices and systems to guide participating bizSAFE enterprises on their WSH journey. Today, many large companies have since imputed WSH criteria into their procurement exercise to ensure that their projects and production could be better managed with less unnecessary downtime due to incidents.

As of 31 December 2013, there are 16,940 bizSAFE Enterprises, 309 bizSAFE Partners and 17 bizSAFE Mentors participating in the bizSAFE programme.

Risk Management Assistance Fund MOM introduced the Risk Management Assistance Fund (RMAF) in April 2006. The RMAF was intended to help SMEs defray the cost of engaging consultants to conduct risk assessments and to build in-house capability in risk management. Every SME that had benefitted from RMAF have implemented acceptable Risk Management and have since progressed to bizSAFE level 3 or higher.

As of 31 December 2013, the RMAF has disbursed $22.05 million to 4,310 SMEs, with an additional $1.34 million already committed to help another 429 SMEs.

CultureSAFE Programme Developed by the WSH council in September 2012, the CultureSAFE programme guides companies to develop a progressive and pervasive WSH culture at their workplaces. The programme comprises a unique WSH culture model and index system complete with methodical diagnostic instruments to gauge an organisation’s WSH culture. Participating organisations could then formulate appropriate plans and implement suitable initiatives to enhance their WSH culture’s attributes and dimensions based on their CultureSAFE’s diagnostic results. By end 2013, about 150 companies have signed up for the programme.

16,940bizSAFE

Enterprises

309 bizSAFEPartners

17 bizSAFEMentors

4,310 SMEs

$22.05 million

RMAFby 31 December 2013

429 SMEs

$1.34 million

additional

• Culture Fund: An $8 million WSH Culture Fund was set up to help SMEs implement the CultureSAFE programme. On 01 October 2013, the proportion of costs that SMEs can claim from the fund to implement CultureSAFE was revised from 70% to 90%, with the cap limit remaining at $30,000 for each SME. SMEs can use the fund to cover both consultancy and implementation costs.

• Breakfast Dialogues: To promote the adoption of CultureSAFE programme, three Breakfast Dialogues have been organised for companies from the Chemical, Construction and Manufacturing sector in March, July and October 2013 respectively. Reputable industry leaders were invited as guest speakers to share the challenges and benefits of their WSH culture building journey.

Breakfast Dialogue for Construction Industry

Breakfast Dialogue for Chemical Industry Breakfast Dialogue for Chemical Industry

Breakfast Dialogue for MetalWorking and Manufacturing Industry Breakfast Dialogue for MetalWorking and Manufacturing Industry

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Chemical Industry Case Studies

This booklet is a compilation of 21 local accident case studies covering both occupational safety and occupational health. Each case offers insight to past accidents that have taken place together with recommendations and learning points. The compilation will be a useful reference to Managers,

Supervisors and WSH Professionals in the chemical industry, particularly those with a manufacturing or operations portfolio and working in SMEs.

WSH Guidelines on Workplace Traffic Safety Management

This set of guidelines highlights potential hazards when vehicles are used on the roads and within workplace premises. The guideline is recommended for companies who own transport or goods vehicles such as prime movers, lorries, vans, tipper trucks, dumpers, concrete

mixers, and so on. This publication also recommends good industry practices through the establishment of a traffic management plan.

Forklift Safety Pack

This set of collaterals is targeted to educate supervisors and forklift drivers about safe operation of forklifts. It consists of a sticker conveying 5 key messages regarding forklift operations and a pre-operation checklist for forklifts.

The 5 keys messages are: • Authorised Operators Only• No Speeding • No Passengers • Always fasten seat belt • Check before reversing

Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights (Second Revision)

The Code of Practice illustrates a variety of fall control measures and work practices that can be adopted when the risk of falling from heights, or into depth, is present.

Code of Practice for Safe Lifting Operations in the Workplaces (Second Revision)

The Code of Practice on Safe Lifting Operations in the Workplaces was published in 2011 to help the industry better manage Crane Safety and comply with the statutory requirements for Lifting Plan implementation. The National

Crane Safety Taskforce formed a workgroup in 2013 to:

i) Review and incorporate specific guidance on the establishment and implementation of a quality Lifting Plan into the ACOP. The revised ACOP was posted for public consultation in WSH Council website in December 2013.

ii) Develop practical guidelines with examples on establishment and implementation of Lifting Plans. The Workgroup plans to complete the guidelines and sample Lifting Plans by 2014.

Practical Assistance The WSH Council publishes Approved Codes

of Practices, Compliance Assistance Checklists, Fact Sheets, Case Studies, Guidelines and

Technical Advisories to provide guidance on recommended safety and health practices.

These materials were published in the past year for the various industries

and was a result of collaborative effort with key

industry players.

Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines – Investigating Workplace Incidents for SMEs

This guide provides general guidance for incident investigation methods and their related tasks like information gathering, analysis, implementation and review for simple or direct incidents.

WSH Guidelines on Hospitality and Entertainment Industries

The hospitality and entertainment industries employ a range of staff who may be exposed to a variety of safety and health hazards depending on their specific job scope. They may be exposed to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, health hazards such as

chemicals, noise, and thermal stress. There is also the risk of injuries from slips, trips and falls, knocks, cuts, burns and scalds, electrocution, fires and explosions.

This set of guidelines aims to provide information and guidance on the:

• Identification of common work hazards and their prevention measures; and

• Establishment of safety and health programmes.

Employers should work together with employees to establish a safe and healthy working environment in the workplace.

Kitchen Safety and Health Pack

This Kitchen Safety and Health Pack which consists of a handbook, posters, stickers and checklists highlights the common hazards of working in a kitchen. It is targeted to educate supervisors and workers working in the kitchen environment.

Activity-Based Checklists

These are a new series of modular WSH checklists for common work activities that could be used across industry sectors. Each activity-based checklist would bring focus to a particular work activity (for example, the safe handling of sharp objects), and lists the recommended WSH practices

that should be put in place prior to work commencement to ensure that the work can be carried out safely.

Tentage Safety Industry-Based Checklist

The Tentage Safety Working Group (WG) was formed in July 2012 to spearhead various sector-specific initiatives to improve WSH capability and work practices with the aim to professionalize this trade.

At the start of 2013, the WG produced a tentage safety industry-based checklist as a reference to help tentage stakeholders carry out tentage work safely.

Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines – Management and RemovalofAsbestos

A set of WSH Guidelines on the Management and Removal of Asbestos was developed to assist stakeholders in complying with the new regulations.

All of these resources are available for download at the following link:

https://www.wshc.sg/wps/portal/resources?action=infoStopHome

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