The eighth International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Workplace Safety and Health was convened from 17 to 19 January 2023 and the deliverable was a report outlining the eight key 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
WSH Challenges in Singapore
Year 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
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.
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
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.
[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.
