Government Accepts Recommendations by International Advisory Panel to Strengthen Workplace Safety & Health
The Government has accepted the eight key recommendations by the International Advisory Panel (IAP) (see Annex for full list of IAP members) on strengthening workplace safety and health (WSH). These recommendations aim to reduce workplace incidents, mitigate the WSH risks arising from climate change and green technology, and guide the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and our stakeholders towards achieving our WSH 2028 goals[1].
2 The eighth IAP convened from 17 to 19 January 2023, and was held in conjunction with the second Multi-Agency Workplace Safety Taskforce (MAST)[2] meeting. The sessions brought together industry experts who provided ground insights from their respective industries.
WSH Challenges in Singapore
3 2022 saw a spate of workplace fatalities largely due to basic safety lapses, such as inadequate safety planning and control measures, and non-compliance with safety measures. We need to prevent such workplace incidents from happening. In the longer term, Singapore also needs to better support our ageing workforce and be prepared for potential WSH hazards[3] that may arise with new technologies.
Key Recommendations
4 To attain a sustainable WSH culture, stakeholders must have both the motivation – be it commercial, reputational or personal interests – as well as the knowledge to do so. To generate stronger motivation for companies and workers to embrace WSH, the IAP recommended the following (for full list of recommendations, visit go.gov.sg/8IAPWSH):
- Placing strong emphasis on top management’s responsibility for WSH. Top management must foster a safe operations culture where safety considerations are embedded into all aspects.
- Extending WSH oversight to contractors in the whole supply chain.
- Bring interest of business into greater alignment with WSH.
- Building workplaces where workers feel safe to speak up.
5 At the same time, the IAP recognised the need to strengthen the knowledge and awareness of stakeholders to better manage WSH risks. It also recommended:
- Inculcating a more pervasive training culture, beyond foundational training and level up WSH practices.
- Improving WSH know-how of small-to-medium enterprises.
- Promoting age-friendly workplace safety practices and designs.
- Pre-emptively addressing WSH risks arising from climate change and green technology.
WSH as a Priority
6 Having accepted the IAP's recommendations, MOM will study the details and work with stakeholders as well as sectoral agencies to implement appropriate measures to ensure that WSH remains a priority for employers and workers. We will continue our commitment to our WSH 2028 goals of building safer workplaces for workers, and a more productive workforce for businesses.
Annex
List of International Advisory Panel Members
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Ms Sarah Albon
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Chief Executive, Health and Safety Executive, United Kingdom
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Ms Michelle Baxter
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Chief Executive Officer, Safe Work Australia
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Dr Ralf Franke
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Corporate Vice President and Corporate Medical Director
Head of Environmental Protection, Health Management & Safety
Siemens AG
General Practitioner, Occupational Physician and Specialist for Occupational Safety
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Mr Wiking Husberg
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International Consultant on Occupational Safety and Health
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Dr David Michaels
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Professor, Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health and Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
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Dr Park Doo Yong
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Professor, Hansung University
Director, Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Policy Institute, Hansung University
Former President of Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA)
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List of Multi-Agency Workplace Safety Taskforce Members
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Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Chair)
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Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Defence
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Dr Amy Khor
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Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment & Transport
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Mr Tan Kiat How
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Senior Minister of State for National Development and Communications and Information
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Mr Alvin Tan
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Minister of State for Trade and Industry
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List of Local Industry Experts
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Mr Adrian Lee
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Director of Operations, Asia, Lendlease Asia Holdings
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Mr Niranjan Masurekar
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Safety and Operational Excellence Lead, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte Ltd
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Er. Lucas Ng Hong Kiang
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Senior Advisor and Head of Sustainability, Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (Private) Limited (PCS)
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Mr Christopher Ong
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Senior Vice President & Managing Director, DHL Express Singapore
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Ms Tan Man Ee
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Chief Operating Officer & Director, Natsteel Group
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Ms Melissa Tan
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Chief Executive Officer, Wah & Hua Pte Ltd
Director, ALBA W&H Smart City Pte Ltd
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[1] These include sustained reduction in workplace injury rates, minimising hazards that lead to occupational disease, promoting good workforce health and pervasive adoption of the Vision Zero culture. Read more here: https://www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health/wsh-reports-and-statistics
[2] The MAST comprises representatives from Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Trade and Industry.
[3] For example, installation of solar panels exposes more workers to working at height risks. Adoption of other green technologies such as converting waste into alternative energy sources may also pose hazards such as combustible dust. Servicing, repair, maintenance and recovery of electric and hybrid vehicles can put workers at risk of unfamiliar hazards such as electric shocks, fires & explosions from storage of energy fuels and release of liquids and gases from damaged batteries.