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Committee of Supply (Speech 4) by Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower, 05 March 2012, 5pm, Parliament

Workplace safety and health

Introduction

  1. Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Mr Seng Han Thong, Ms Indranee Rajah and Mrs Lina Chiam have spoken about Workplace Safety and Health (WSH), which I will now address.

    A. Workplace Safety and Health Performance
  2. I am pleased to note that Singapore's workplace fatality rate remained low at 2.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2011. We also achieved a major milestone in Sep 2011 with the extension of WSH Act to cover all workplaces in Singapore. This marks a new beginning, as we strive towards even better WSH outcomes for all workplaces in Singapore.
  3. Mrs Lina Chiam expressed concern for the physical protection of workers collecting refuse. These workers, who typically work at refuse collection centres and other workplaces such as roadsides and void decks, are covered under the WSH Act. Employers are required to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure that work is carried out safely. They must conduct risk assessments and ensure that efforts are undertaken to eliminate or mitigate the risks. In refuse collection, this would include the risk of falling objects and cut by sharp objects.
  4. Mrs Lina Chiam further asked how our regulatory regime compared against other developed countries and if there were efforts to further improve it. While the WSH Act stipulates the need for risk assessment and appropriate measures to be taken, it is not practical for MOM to prescribe in the law the exact safety equipment and requirements for every job and every workplace. Instead, similar to developed countries like the UK and USA, WSH guidelines were developed for the cleaning sector by the WSH Council and NTUC in 2009. For Mrs Chiam's information, the guidelines which is contained in this booklet1 which has been distributed to employers and service buyers recommend the use of non-slip safety shoes or boots, and gloves to prevent cuts from discarded rubbish. MOM will continue to consult the industry and the WSH Council on the need for WSH guidelines in other industry sectors.

    B. Work At Heights
  5. Mr Seng Han Thong asked about the main causes of fall fatalities and our plans to address them. We have noticed a worrying trend of falls accounting for almost half of the workplace fatalities reported to MOM, of which two-third are attributed to falls from heights. Accidents resulting from falls from heights are often a result of unsafe practices such as (i) open sides and lack of barricades in structures; (ii) roof works; and (iii) unsafe use of ladders.
  6. Over the last few years, we have made extensive efforts to raise safety standards in this area. In August 2009, MOM and WSH Council formed an industry-led Taskforce to drive industry engagement and raise the capability of industry to ensure compliance with safety standards of employees working at heights. The Taskforce has made a slew of recommendations, such as establishing an Approved Code of Practice and having outreach efforts through Safety Compliance Assistance Visits (SCAV), which we have implemented.
  7. To date, MOM and the WSH Council have engaged more than 12,000 workers at over 1,800 worksites, and trained more than 5,500 supervisors on working at heights safety. Our efforts have seen some positive results especially in the construction and marine sectors.
  8. Unfortunately, positive results in the Marine and Construction sectors alone, is insufficient. The number of fall fatalities in other sectors increased last year. As a result, falls continued to be the top contributor of workplace fatalities.
  9. To bring about further improvement, MOM will explore introducing legal requirements to regulate working at heights practices this year. We are currently exploring whether to mandate the use of fall prevention plans, and "Permit-to-Work system" where workers will be required to obtain permits before commencing work at heights, similar to the requirements for other hazardous work such as work in confined spaces. Stakeholders will be closely involved in identifying the most efficient and effective solutions.

    C. Building WSH capability and raising WSH standards
  10. We agree with Mr Yeo Guat Kwang that support must be given to help stakeholders build WSH capabilities and raise WSH standards at the workplace. To achieve this objective, we set aside a $70 million fund in 2010 to drive WSH improvements. Through this fund, we have introduced initiatives to help companies build up their WSH capabilities, for example in the areas of risk assessment and building WSH culture.
  11. Ensuring that workers are trained and competent to manage WSH is a key focus of capability-building programmes. MOM and the WSH Council regularly reviews our assistance programmes to help support the training of workers in WSH. For example, we are currently exploring how we can enhance the training provided for foreign construction workers with a view of extending the Construction Safety Training Course (CSOC) from the current 1 day to 2 days. We are also piloting a scheme for this safety training to be conducted at the worker's country of origin. Training at source will enable companies to bring in workers who are already knowledgeable in WSH and avoid instances where workers have to be sent back because they fail the training in Singapore. We will leverage on our connection and our coordination with BCA which is already operating skills training facilities overseas for construction workers before they come to Singapore. I think we will be able to roll this out fairly easily in the future.
  12. Helping businesses, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), improve safety management capabilities is another key area which we are focusing on. Just last year, we topped up the Risk Management Assistance Fund (RMAF), which provides subsidies for SMEs to seek assistance from approved risk consultant, by an additional $11 million bringing the total funding for the programme to $24 million. To date, more than 2000 companies have benefitted from the programme.

    D. WSH-Assist Programme
  13. This year, we will further extend our assistance to SMEs through a new WSH-Assist Programme. This programme helps SMEs defray up to 80% of the fees incurred in engaging WSH consultant to provide onsite consultation services, assess WSH standards at their workplaces and develop action plans to close identified gaps. SMEs can also leverage on this programme to identify other appropriate funding schemes that they can tap on to further improve their WSH standards.
  14. We have started a pilot run for the WSH-Assist Programme since December 2011, and companies engaged have provided positive feedback.
  15. One such company is Heng Khwee Heng Poultry Factory Pte Ltd. Through the WSH-Assist programme, the factory conducted a comprehensive workplace safety review, and identified several areas which required risk mitigation as well as the appropriate measures to address them. For instance, they will be installing a machine guard over an exposed pulley belt which could potentially cause injury to workers who came in contact with it. In addition, the factory learnt about the RMAF and decided to apply for it to help them improve their risk management capability.
  16. WSH Council is targeting to launch WSH Assist by the second half of this year.

    E. Work Injury Compensation
  17. The last area I would like to address is on Work Injury Compensation (or WIC). Ms Indranee Rajah has raised concerns regarding the extended stay of some foreign workers who are claiming WIC, and has suggested that MOM fast track the WIC claim process for foreign workers.
  18. Let me first assure the House that MOM is committed to ensuring that the WIC claim process is fair and expeditious. Our records showed that 80% of all cases are resolved within 3 months. The recent amendments to the WIC Act, which will take effect in June this year, are also intended to further speed up the resolution of WIC claims, particularly in instances where insurers are involved.
  19. Nevertheless, there will continue to be some complex cases which may require more time to resolve, for valid reasons. These include scenarios involving workers with serious injuries and can only be medically assessed after their injuries stabilised, or those involving disputes which would require further hearing at MOM's Labour Court. So for such cases it may take a slightly longer time, but as I said earlier we resolve to settle the cases as quickly as possible. While these steps may lengthen the claim process, they are necessary to ensure that both the employer and the worker receive a fair outcome. Ms Indranee Rajah asked MOM to coordinate with MOH on expediting the issuance of medical reports and I’m glad to say that MOM is already in discussion with some restructured hospitals to explore how this can be done.
  20. I would like to highlight that foreign workers whose claims are being processed need not stay in Singapore and may choose to return to their home countries. MOM will continue to liaise with them directly and process their claims.
  21. Ms Indranee Rajah also requested that MOM step up enforcement on employers who default on the upkeep and maintenance of their foreign workers during the claims process. In addition to upkeep and maintenance, employers are required to pay their injured workers medical leave wages while they are on medical leave during the claims process. Workers who need help should approach MOM or contact their case officer-in-charge for assistance. We will investigate and ensure that employers fulfil their obligations. As MOS Tan mentioned in the WICA Second Reading speech last November, MOM is aware of this issue and is working with the various stakeholders to find a practical solution.
  22. Lastly, the WIC claim process applies equally to all injured workers, both local and foreign. MOM believes that preferential treatment should not be accorded to any parties on the basis of nationality. We are cognisant that injured foreign workers may face greater challenges whilst awaiting the resolution of their WIC claims, and as I've said earlier, we are presently working with stakeholders including insurers, healthcare providers, employers and NGOs, to find other practical solutions to further improve our operations.

    CONCLUSION
  23. Let me conclude. Creating better, safer and healthier workplaces are long term objectives for Singapore, which the Government is committed to achieve. MOM will continually review and enhance our schemes and legislations, explore new measures, and also work closely with stakeholders to achieve this shared objective for our workers. Thank you.

1 Cleaning and Custodial Services Guidelines

Factsheet on WSH Assist (Pilot Phase)