Speech at Keppel Offshore and Marine Family Day

Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Siloso Beach, Sentosa

Mr Choo Chiau Beng
Chairman and CEO, Keppel Offshore and Marine

Mr Mohamed Yusop Bin Mansor
President of Keppel Employees Union

Mr Muhamad Shah Mohd Sahid
President of Keppel FELS Employees Union

Mr Wong Weng Ong
President of Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Employees' Union

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen
Good afternoon.

I am happy to join you and your families as you celebrate the fifth anniversary of Keppel Offshore and Marine.

A good workplace benefits the company

2.   I was told that more than 18,000 Keppelites and their families are present in Sentosa this afternoon. This large turnout augurs well for your company. It indicates a strong sense of community at the workplace. In events like this, we celebrate staff successes together and families and colleagues meet and mingle and enjoy quality time together. Companies with a supportive and progressive workplace environment are more likely to attract better employees, reduce staff turnover, maintain high staff morale and consequently minimise disruption to operations. This is particularly important in a tight labour market.

Safety and health contributes to a good workplace

3.   Any company that says it values its employees must have a good safety and health record, to remain credible. Our marine sector must maintain high safety and health standards to retain its competitive advantage over other shipyards around the world. We must continue to be safe even as, and I would add especially when, business expands. I was told that even though the order books are already filled till 2010, more large contracts are being received, such as the order for Keppel to build an ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig for US rig operator Ensco International. Robust growth will inevitably generate pressure to meet deadlines, an increase in workload and longer working hours.

4.   I am encouraged that the marine industry as a whole has registered improvements in its safety and health performance notwithstanding its rapid growth. There were three work-related fatalities in the marine industry for the first six months of 2007. This is a drop from the eight fatalities recorded for the same period last year. Unfortunately, there was a recent spat of fires in shipyards, which killed three workers, including one from Keppel FELS. We must maintain our vigilance and step up efforts to prevent these accidents.

To be successful we need a strong safety culture

5.   Safety is everyone's concern. We can only be as safe as the weakest link. Hence, the theme for this year's National WSH Campaign is SHINE@work or Safety and Health Involves Everyone@Work. The safety culture must permeate every level - from management down to the last worker. We need to actively spread this message to all staff through various initiatives – including today's attempt to build the longest chain of safety helmets and set the Guinness Book of World Records. I am delighted to join you for this feat.

6.   Everyone from management to the supervisors and workers will need to place safety and health as a priority in their decisions and actions. This is particularly so in the shipyards, where the risks levels are typically higher. More experienced workers can play a more active role in raising safety and health standards. You have a strong influence on the behaviour of the younger workers and should lead by example. You are more attuned to the workplace risks and can be pro-active in proposing solutions to mitigate or eliminate such risks. With a safer and healthier workplace, unplanned stoppages will be reduced, productivity will increase, better results will be achieved and everyone can return home safely to their family at the end of each work day. Workplace safety will improve staff morale and will ensure that your business continues to grow steadily.

7.   I wish you and your families an enjoyable day.