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Written Answer by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on companies implementing workplace safety and health-enhancing technologies

Workplace safety and health
NOTICE PAPER NO. 1202 - Oral PQ 3075 from Mr Leon Perera for a sitting on or after 5th July 2022
QUESTION NO. 3075 FOR ORAL ANSWER
MP: Mr Leon Perera
To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the number of companies that have sought to implement Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) enhancing technologies; (b) what proportion of these companies have received state financial assistance or support; (c) of those receiving such support, what percentage of the total cost for implementation of the WSH technologies is defrayed by such support; and (d) whether there is a correlation between companies that have adopted these technologies and a reduced number of workplace injuries and fatalities.

Answer:

The deployment of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) technology is a key enabler to detect and prevent workplace accidents. Based on a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) survey of companies in December 2021, approximately seven in 10 businesses have implemented WSH technology solutions.

Companies can tap on the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) to adopt pre-approved digital solutions. As of June 2022, more than 500 small and medium-sized enterprises have tapped on the PSG to adopt technology solutions that facilitate the improvement of WSH standards at their workplaces. Examples of these solutions include the electronic Permit-To-Work (or e-PTW) to control selected high-risk work activities, such as working at height, to ensure safe execution of work onsite; and Fleet Safety Management solutions to improve situational awareness of drivers and warn of collision risks. The PSG provides up to 70% grant support, capped at $30,000, for these solutions.

While the correlation between the adoption of technology solutions and workplace accidents varies depending on the particular technology solutions and industry-specific risk factors, we have some promising results. For example, we found that the adoption of Fleet Safety Management solutions resulted in 93% fewer fatigue episodes by driver, and 58% fewer potential collisions. MOM has and will continue to work with Government Procurement Entities to incorporate suitable WSH technologies into public sector tender specifications.

MOM will also continue to work with employers, industry associations, technology vendors, research institutes, and other government agencies to promote effective WSH technologies to create safer workplaces.