The Occupational Safety and Health Tactical Enforcement Command (OSHTEC) is the integrated system that enhances OSH enforcement capabilities by providing seamless flow of information, data insights and responsive actions. OSHTEC leverages on the strengths of each application and when brought together, can optimise the enforcement outcomes.

OSHTEC was showcased to Minister of State (MOS), Sam Tam and Teo Ser Luck on 30 November 2015. Together with our enforcement officers, Information Management Branch briefed them on the capabilities of OSHD’s main enforcement capability, OSHTEC. Both MOS also had a closer look at the Operations Management Command Centre which is the heart of OSHTEC that helps to facilitate and coordinate enforcement activities at the workplace.

USING DRONES TO ASSIST WITH WSH ENFORCEMENT

There are many benefits in incorporating drones into our enforcement work. Drones are able to provide comprehensive aerial footages of a workplace, especially for areas that are not physically accessible or when the workplace is large. This eliminates the need for our enforcement officers from climbing tall structures or getting into hazardous places.

Besides strengthening our enforcement work, drones enable the physical information to be digitally examined, analysed and even manipulated. An example is a place of accident, which is quite a hazardous place to investigate. By using drones, we are able to scan the accident scene and provide 3D models of where the accident took place. This could support investigation and recovery works.

A proof of concept was done to validate assumptions and identify potential use case for OSHD. The outcomes were encouraging and full implementation to operationalise the use of drones is already underway.

PARTICIPATION IN THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (MOT) INTER-AGENCY UAV WORKGROUP

OSHD is a member of the inter-agency Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) workgroup, whose aim is to chart a balanced and sustainable approach to UAS operations in Singapore. The workgroup led efforts in making regulatory changes, initiating trials, proof of concepts and operationalising UAV in the public service. OSHD is one of the first agencies to use UAV to augment its operations i.e. workplace accident investigations inspections. OSHD has also collaborated with other government agencies such as BCA, HDB, PUB and LTA in synergy missions that could generate more effective outcomes and higher productivity. In the long term, we envisage that the use of UAV will aid OSHD in managing WSH as well as extending it as a tool to boost industry’s WSH capabilities.

STUDY TRIP TO GERMANY

Organised by MOT, the inter-agency (UAS) workgroup travelled to Germany in May 2015. OSHD, represented by the Director (Policy, Information & Corporate Services) D(PICS) Er. Mohd Ismadi, together with the workgroup and various agencies across the government such as Singapore Police Force, Land Transport Authority, Infocomm Development Authority, Defence Science and Technology Agency and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore spent a week in Germany. They met regulators and global enterprises such as DHL and Airbus, to learn about Germany’s UAS ecosystem and bring back lessons that could be useful for developing the UAS landscape in Singapore.