WSH Guidelines -Toxic Industrial Waste Treatment

WSH Guidelines -Toxic Industrial Waste Treatment

What is WSH Guidelines

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program.

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Toxic Industrial Waste Treatment to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Toxic Industrial Waste Treatment Scope

The primary objective of this document is to provide guidance on minimising workplace safety and health risks in the waste treatment industry.

The scope of the guidelines covers workplace safety and health in waste treatment facilities that store, treat and dispose of toxic industrial waste commercially.

The guidelines should be read together with the Singapore Standard CP 100: 2004 “Code of Practice on Hazardous Waste Management”* as well as MOM’s Guidelines on “Prevention and Control of Chemical Hazards”

Improper storing, handling, treating or disposing of industrial waste can jeopardise workplace safety and health; these translate into costs in terms of compensation, clean-up and lost time due to illnesses and accidents.

These guidelines are not meant for facilities that treat biological and/or radioactive waste. Please refer to the website of the National Environment Agency (NEA)‡ for details on the proper treatment and disposal of biological and radioactive waste.

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WSH Guidelines-Process Safety Performance Indicators

WSH Guidelines-Process Safety Performance Indicators

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program.

Check out the free WSH Guidelines-Process Safety Performance Indicators to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guidelines-Process Safety Performance Indicators Scope

This set of guidelines aims to introduce the concept of process safety performance indicators, with a greater focus on leading indicators in performance monitoring for process safety management. It provides guidance on the development of process safety performance indicators, and how these indicators can contribute to better safety and health outcomes in the process industry.

This set of guidelines is intended to assist the middle-to-senior management and WSH personnel of companies in the process industry, including the SMEs and plants of smaller operation scale. It will help these stakeholders to identify any possible risks arising from their work processes, and take steps to rectify them before the risks manifest into undesired consequences. With more knowledgeable and responsible management and employers, the process industry can achieve improved safety and health standards.

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WSH Guidelines -Fatigue Management

WSH Guidelines -Fatigue Management

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program .

Check out the free Fatigue Management to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Fatigue Management Scope

This guideline aims to provide industries with relevant information on how to set up a fatigue management programme. It provides basic information to raise awareness of the impact of fatigue on workplace safety and health.

As industries vary in their specific operational context, working environment and services providing the same set of fatigue management policies would not apply uniformly to each industry.

The guideline presents information on the following:

• Factors contributing to fatigue;

• Effects and implications of fatigue on safety and health performance;

• Risk assessment as an approach to fatigue management;

• Good practices for fatigue management;

• Means of fatigue assessment; and

• Fatigue Management Programme.

The guideline serves as a source of reference for employers and employees to develop and establish a fatigue management policy and programme

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WSH Guidelines --Hospitality & Entertainment Industry

WSH Guidelines --Hospitality & Entertainment Industry

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Hospitality & Entertainment Industry to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Hospitality & Entertainment Industry Scope

The hospitality and entertainment industries are important industries which form a significant part of the economy. These industries provide full-time, part-time and contract employment for a large number of people.

To provide a high standard of service to customers, the pace of work in these industries can be fast and the working hours long. Providing a safe and healthy working environment can improve the well-being, morale and productivity of employees.

The hospitality and entertainment industries employ a range of staff that may be exposed to a variety of safety and health hazards depending on their specific job scope. They may be exposed to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, health hazards such as chemicals, noise, and thermal stress. There is also the risk of injuries from slips, trips and falls, knocks, cuts, burns and scalds, electrocution, fires and explosions.

Occupational accidents and diseases can result in suffering, sickness, absenteeism, productivity loss, disability or even death. All these can be prevented.

This set of guidelines aims to provide information and guidance on the:

• identification of common work hazards and their prevention measures; and

• establishment of safety and health programmes.

Employers should work together with employees to establish a safe and healthy working environment in the workplace.

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WSH Guidelines --Safeguarding Against Falling Objects

WSH Guidelines --Safeguarding Against Falling Objects

What is WSH Guidelines

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines --Safeguarding Against Falling Objects to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guidelines --Safeguarding Against Falling Objects Scope

Struck by falling objects (SBFO) is statistically the second most common cause of workplace fatalities in Singapore. Furthermore, SBFO is a common hazard across all industry sectors and had resulted in many cases of workplace injury. Members of the public may also be at risk from SBFO if workplace safety is not managed well.

Management has a key role in preventing SBFO incidents from occurring, and must take the lead in Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) efforts. This is important for developing a good safety culture where each individual takes personal responsibility for safety and health at the workplace.

This set of guidelines focuses on the dangers of items that fall from height. Falling objects can strike persons on the head and the resultant injuries can be fatal. Therefore, it is imperative that reasonably practicable efforts are taken to prevent objects from falling onto persons. Protection provided by personal protective equipment (PPE), such as helmets, may sometimes be unable to effectively safeguard a person who is struck by falling objects.

These guidelines are intended to provide information and guidance on situations where SBFO is a hazard and the preventive measures that can be taken to safeguard people who work on the site, visitors to the site and members of the public.

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WSH Guidelines --Work Safely on Roofs

WSH Guidelines --Work Safely on Roofs

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Work Safely on Roofs to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Work Safely on Roofs

Working on roofs is a high-risk activity. From 2007 to 2011, fatal falls during work on roofs had claimed 20 lives. Fall from roofs have also caused serious workplace injuries, often resulting in permanent disabilities (e.g., paralysis). Hence this guide is developed to help contractors who are involved in roof works or required to perform work on roofs, better manage and prevent fall from heights while working on roofs.

What this Guide is about

This guide is relevant for new roof construction and work on roofs of existing buildings (e.g., inspection, repair, maintenance, cleaning work and demolition). It contains salient points on how to plan and work safely on roofs operations such as:

• key considerations in planning for work on roofs;

• fall hazards in various stages of work on roofs;

• control measures against falls;

• administrative controls; and

• personal protective equipment (PPE).

After reading this guide, the user should be able to:

• Identify the risks involved with working on roofs;

• Choose the right access equipment for use on the job;

• Understand and determine the appropriate measures for risk control; and

• Develop a plan to prevent falls during roof works.

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WSH Guidelines --Managing Heat Stress in Workplace

 WSH Guidelines --Managing Heat Stress in Workplace

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Managing Heat Stress in Workplace to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Managing Heat Stress in Workplace Scope

Working in Singapore's hot and humid weather puts workers at an increased risk of heat injuries. This publication provides an overview of preventive measures that companies can implement to minimise the risk of heat injuries developing in your workers when working in a hot environment. 

Heat acclimatisation, moderation of environmental factors and the regulation of metabolic heat production are important measures to minimise the impact of heat stress. Although heat stress is typically associated with outdoor work, it is important to realise that heat hazard is also present in indoor workplaces such as foundries, commercial kitchens, laundries, boiler rooms, and food and beverage manufacturing factories. Work processes in such environments may emit radiant heat or have inadequate ventilation. 

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WSH Guidelines- Contractor Management

 WSH Guidelines- Contractor Management

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines- Contractor Management to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guidelines- Contractor Management Scope

Contractors are increasingly being engaged in a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from installation to maintenance and service. It is important to manage relationships with contractors to ensure that safety and health is accorded due attention throughout the contract duration.

Both the client and the contractor are responsible for the safety and health of their employees and the public at the workplace.

Proper contractor management process is essential to ensure that contractors do not create unnecessary risks for themselves or others. If the contractor management process is ineffective, persons at or near the workplace may be exposed to risks which may cause serious injuries or fatalities. While contracted work requires proper management to minimise risk and meet safety and health standards, all parties must collaborate to ensure that the safety and health system is effective.

This set of guidelines is developed to assist companies or clients in managing their contractors. It provides information and guidance to clients, contractors, subcontractors and key stakeholders who are involved in the contractor management process to ensure that safety and health is managed properly.

It aims to guide improvement in contractor workplace safety and health (WSH) performance, and provides a systematic approach to the contractor management process to minimise safety and health risks to employees and the public. The set of guidelines outlines the requirements for evaluating, selecting, coordinating, monitoring and communicating WSH expectations of clients and contractors.

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WSH Guideline -Hearing Conservation Program

 WSH Guideline -Hearing Conservation Program

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Hearing Conservation Program to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Hearing Conservation Program Scope

Noise is generated during processes, operations and work activities. It is one of the most common occupational health hazards. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can cause noise-induced hearing loss, or commonly known as noise-induced deafness (NID). NID refers to a permanent loss in hearing sensitivity which leads to communication difficulties, impairment of personal relationships, social isolation and degradation in the quality of life.

Other detrimental effects of excessive noise exposure include:

• Tinnitus (a distressing condition characterised by ringing in the ear which can lead to disturbed sleep);

• Acoustic trauma (temporary or permanent hearing loss due to sudden exposure to very loud noise);

• Interference with speech communication and perception of warning signs;

• Disruption of job performance;

• Annoyance; and

• Extra-auditory effects.

To protect exposed employees from the adverse effects of noise, every workplace with a noise hazard should implement a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP), as part of the company’s workplace safety and health (WSH) programme.

The Guidelines on Hearing Conservation Programme serves to assist employers, plant engineers, noise monitoring and noise control personnel, safety and health officers, and other stakeholders in the implementation of the HCP.

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WSH Guidelines --Laboratories Handling Chemicals

WSH Guidelines --Laboratories Handling Chemicals

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Laboratories Handling Chemicals to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Laboratories Handling Chemicals Scope

This guidelines applies to any basic laboratory where chemicals are handled and is, in particular, dedicated to both the improvement of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) in company laboratories involved in quality control, as well as teaching laboratories in educational institutions. It supplements the existing WSH Guidelines on Management of Hazardous Chemicals Programme by providing more details on the safe storage, transfer, handling and disposal of chemicals in the laboratory context, as well as the recommended measures for laboratories to facilitate effective emergency response to incidents involving chemicals.

Introduction

A laboratory manager is any person who has control over the key aspects of the laboratory environment including the coordination of day-to-day activities, maintenance of equipment, purchasing of supplies, and so on.

In the context of this guidelines, a laboratory is considered basic if the:

(i) laboratory’s activities involve standard or well-documented experimental techniques;

(ii) laboratory equipment used is readily available in the market; and

(iii) chemicals being handled are commonly found in standard laboratories or those whose properties are well understood.

In particular, laboratories involved in research and development (R&D) are beyond the scope of this guidelines due to the complex nature of R&D activities, the use of highly specialised equipment and/ or the use of novel chemicals. Those involved in R&D may wish to refer to relevant publications such as, Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards, published by the National Research Council (United States of America) for specific guidance.

For those involved in setting up a new laboratory or redesigning an existing laboratory, this guidelines provides guidance on WSH aspects to be considered when designing a laboratory where chemicals are used. A chemical laboratory safety inspection checklist is included to help chemical users, laboratory managers* and safety auditors ensure that WSH concerns have been suitably addressed in their laboratories, and necessary control measures properly implemented.

Along with risk assessment (RA), those planning a new laboratory experiment or testing method will also find the list of recommended WSH considerations in this guidelines useful to ensure that all angles are covered before commencing work.

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WSH Guidelines -Delivery Services Industry

WSH Guidelines -Delivery Services Industry

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Delivery Services Industry to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --WSH Guideline -Delivery Services Industry Scope

This set of guidelines augment the 2018 Guide to Safe Riding, by recommending what delivery companies and intermediaries should do in terms of their systems and infrastructure to improve safety. They are intended to cover delivery work involving both employees and self-employed persons, for both food and non-food products. While riders of two-wheeled vehicles are more susceptible to suffering injuries compared to drivers, most of the guidelines apply to four-wheeled delivery vehicles as well, with the exception of Guideline 4 on No penalty for declining excessive loads 

These guidelines took into account inputs from delivery riders gathered by the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)5. The riders highlighted that they sometimes rushed to make deliveries to maximise their earnings. This would be especially risky when faced with bad weather conditions, when roads could be slippery, and when handling heavy loads, which could imbalance their two-wheelers.

The guidelines are categorised into three broad factors to address the risks that riders face:

i) Create stronger rider motivation to be safe this would mitigate any inadvertent temptation among riders to rush

ii) Equip riders with the knowledge of how to be safe this is because motivation without capability cannot be put into practice; and

iii) exposure to unsafe situations, such as carrying heavy loads and rushing during bad weather.

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WSH Guideline --WSH Guidelines Safe Use of Machinery

 WSH Guideline --WSH Guidelines Safe Use of Machinery

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --WSH Guidelines Safe Use of Machinery to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --WSH Guidelines Safe Use of Machinery Scope

Every year, the manufacturing industry sees a significant number of workers incurring bodily injuries from the use of machines, in particular, machines with exposed moving parts. Be it a life lost or an arm severed, every injury is a stark reminder of the importance of working safely.

It is therefore important that workers receive the relevant workplace safety and health (WSH) training and are sufficiently competent to carry out proper WSH risk assessment for all work activities involving machines.

This publication is intended for companies that use machines with moving parts such as milling machines, band saws, drills, shears, slitting machines, food mincers or cutters. For power presses and press brakes, readers may refer to Technical Advisory for Safe Use of Power Presses and Press Brakes. Hazards from the use of machines will be highlighted in this publication along with good WSH practices and suggested control measures to ensure the safe use of machines.

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WSH Guideline--Installation, Maintenance and Replacement of Escalators & Moving Walks

WSH Guideline--Installation, Maintenance and Replacement of Escalators & Moving Walks

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline WSH Guideline--Installation, Maintenance and Replacement of Escalators & Moving Walks to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --WSH Guideline--Installation, Maintenance and Replacement of Escalators & Moving Walks 

Scope
This set of guidelines aims to provide information and recommends safe working practices (supported by training) for those responsible for, and involved in the examination, inspection, testing, service and maintenance, repair and replacement/refurbishment of Esc/MW. The work focus on the installation of various components is indicated in Annex 3.

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WSH Guidelines -Design for Safety

WSH Guidelines -Design for Safety

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Design for Safety to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Design for Safety Scope

The Workplace Safety and Health (DfS) Regulations 2015 require stakeholders such as Developers, Designers and Contractors to work together at the earliest opportunity from the planning and design phases onwards, to identify and eliminate or reduce all foreseeable risks to an Affected Person’s safety

or health throughout the life cycle of a structure being designed, from its construction, operation and maintenance, until its demolition. The Regulations aim to:

• Place responsibility of the safety and health of workers in the construction industry on those who create the risks;

• Achieve sustained workplace safety and health (WSH) improvements through better coordination amongst all stakeholders by managing the WSH risks upstream at the design and planning phase; and

• Improve the planning and effectiveness of the management of safety and health risks throughout every phase of the construction project, i.e. from design and construction stages through to the maintenance of the completed building.

The Regulations also aims to direct stakeholders to work together and perform their DfS duties, and promote safe execution of construction and maintenance works so that structures can be safe workplaces.

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WSH Guideline -WSHMS Metalworking Industry

WSH Guideline --Implementation of WSH Management System for the Metalworking Industry

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Implementation of WSH Management System for the Metalworking Industry to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --WSH Guideline --Implementation of WSH Management System for the Metalworking Industry Scope

This publication is developed to assist companies in the metalworking industry, especially the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to build and enhance their capabilities in managing WSH at the workplace. It provides information and guidance on how safety and health should be managed as integral parts of the business to business owners, senior managers of companies, and key stakeholders who are involved in business operations.

It helps to establish and improve WSH practices for businesses, and provides reasonably practicable guidance on establishing and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces. The guideline outlines some of the areas that companies can look into to make safety and health an integral part of daily operations.

This publication also aims to bring additional benefits to businesses, aside from good WSH performance. These include greater employee commitment, improved workplace systems, higher employee morale, and a sustained proactive safety culture.

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WSH Guideline -Working Safely During Maintenance of Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts

 What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Working Safely During Maintenance of Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Working Safely During Maintenance of Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts Scope

This set of guidelines aims to provide information and guidance to meet the requirements of relevant legislation and Code(s) of Practice in all workplaces where maintenance of permanently installed electric passenger and goods lift is required. It serves to equip stakeholders in the lift industry with useful practical knowledge and good practices on service and maintenance of such lifts in Singapore.

In general, there are two types of maintenance work:

• Routine maintenance (include but not limited to):

- Lubrication;

- Cleaning;

- Inspection; or

- Adjustments/alignments.

• Non-routine maintenance:

- Troubleshooting and doing emergency repairs;

- Replacing worn or damage components (e.g. cables, ropes, parts of elevator doors, and machine bearings that do not
  affect the characteristics of the installation);

- Re-calibrating of load cell and re-adjustment of sensors and switches;

- Job that requires special tools (e.g. cutting equipment, rigging equipment and heat generating equipment);

- Assisting in or performing rescue operations; and

- Replacement of major components such as the machine, the car, the control panel, and so on.

The following operations are considered as non-lift-related-maintenance work:

• Cleaning the external part of the hoist way;

• Cleaning the interior of lift car;

• Rescue operations carried out by the authorities (e.g. Singapore Civil Defence Force).For additional information on periodic maintenance and examination, refer to prevailing Singapore Standard, SS550: Code of Practice: Installation, operation and maintenance of electric passenger and goods lifts.

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WSH Guideline -Safe Loading On Vehicle

WSH Guideline -Safe Loading On Vehicle

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Safe Loading On Vehicles to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Safe Loading On Vehicle Scope

The scope of this guidelines includes safety principles of transportation, cargo arrangement, restraining methods for different cargo types, and loading and unloading activities. While the content aims to be comprehensive, it is not exhaustive.

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​WSH Guideline --Safe Use of Lorry Crane

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Safe Use of Lorry Crane to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Safe Use of Lorry Crane Scope

These guidelines aims to raise the workplace safety and health (WSH) awareness of all relevant stakeholders such as owners, users and operators. It covers the planning these guidelines will cover the planning, roles and responsibilities, relevant hazards, set-up, operation and maintenance aspects of lorry cranes.

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WSH Guidelines -Safe Operation of Forklift Trucks

​WSH Guideline --Safe Operation of Forklift Trucks

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Safe Operation of Forklift Trucks to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Safe Operation of Forklift Trucks Scope

These guidelines provides practical guidance on the management, safe operation and maintenance of forklift trucks (“forklifts” in short) at workplaces. The hazards associated with the use of forklifts and the corresponding control measures are highlighted in this publication. This publication aims to raise awareness among all relevant stakeholders on the safe operation of light and heavy duty counterbalance forklifts to prevent workplace incidents

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Revised SDU Framework

REVISED SDU FRAMEWORK FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICERS (WSHO), WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JAN 2023

BACKGROUND

As part of the WSH Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement for renewal of WSHO registration, WSHOs can accumulate SDUs by attending relevant WSH training and contribute to WSH activities outside of their core work. To renew their registration every two years, WSHOs are required to obtain at least 40 SDUs over the period. The current framework requires WSHOs to obtain at least 20 SDUs from structured activities e, g. employment in WSH related roles (10 SDUs) and attending accredited WSH training (no cap). Up to 20 SDUs can be obtained from unstructured activities e.g., participating in informal in-house training and discussions relating to safety and health.

IMPETUS FOR CHANGE

MOM had received feedback that using informal in-house training, discussions and non-accredited safety activities to obtain SDUs did not effectively contribute to raising the professionalism of WSHOs as these are already part of their routine activities. In addition, existing accredited training was too limited and did not sufficiently cater to the evolving skillsets required in the industries or prepare WSHOs for the future of work brought about by technology and workplace changes.

MOM together with SISO, the appointed CPD Board for WSHOs, have undergone a comprehensive review of the current SDU framework and taken into account WSHOs’ survey feedback at the 19th SISO WSHO Conference.

The new SDU framework seeks to enable WSHOs to stay abreast of changing industry needs and remain competent in the evolving environment in which they operate. Catered for both new and experienced WSHOs, it aims to develop both in-depth skills/knowledge as well as managerial-level WSH skills.

KEY CHANGES

The proposed revised SDU framework will be based on the three categories listed below. In addition, the current practice of allowing up to 10 structured SDUs to be carried over to the next renewal period will cease. This is to simplify the process of renewal and to encourage learning as an on-going process

For Category 2 - attending accredited training, SDUs will be awarded to training courses or events approved by CPD Board based on two tiers. Training courses awarded SDUs will also be expanded to include selected soft skills, WSH technology, non-WSH related courses assessed by CPD Board to contribute to WSHOs’ professionalism.

IMPLEMENTATION

The revised SDU framework will be rolled out with effect from 1 Jan 2023. Courses which do not fulfil CPD objectives under the revised SDU framework will no longer be awarded SDUs.

FAQs

Q1. Why is there a need to revise the current SDU framework for WSHO renewal of registration?

A1. The current framework was introduced and instituted by MOM since year 2006. With technological improvements, industry shifts and workplace changes, the current framework will not sufficiently cater to the evolving skillsets required in the industries or prepare WSHOs for the future of work. The revised framework aims to motivate and enable registered WSHO to:

a) Continually enrich and enhance one’s professional development

b) Keep up with changing technological advancement and regulatory updates

c) Undertake larger role in their job or when opportunity arises

d) Come forward to serve the WSH community voluntarily

e) Connect and stay connected as part of the WSH Community

Q2. What are the differences between the revised SDU framework from the current?

A3. Unlike the current SDU framework, there will be three categories, namely 

(i) WSH in-employment practice

(ii) attending course/training/conference accredited by CPD

Board and

(iii) Other WSH contributions/Attending unaccredited WSH training

.

For SDUs submission, applicant can submit SDUs under any of the category subjected to the maximum SDUs for each category.

However, SDUs will not be allowed to be carried forward for next WSHO renewal. This is to encourage WSHOs to upgrade themselves continually and to stay relevant.

FAQs Q3 to Q13 are applicable with effect from 1 Jan 2023

Q3. What is the minimum number of SDUs required for an applicant to qualify for WSHO renewal?

A3. The renewal requirement of obtaining at least 40 SDUs over a two-year period remains unchanged. Applicant must submit 40 SDUs in each renewal cycle.

Q4. How can an applicant qualify for Category 1?

A4. Applicant must submit evidence of WSH-related employment in the two years leading up to the application for renewal. Nature of employment can be full time, part time, project based, long-term or short-term employment. Document evidence can be in

the form of WSH-related appointment letter or testimonial letter.

Q5. What is the maximum number of SDUs an applicant can submit for Category 1?

A5. Successful applicant will be accorded a maximum of 20 SDUs.

Q6. How can an applicant qualify for Category 2?

A6. Applicant must submit evidence of attendance of any courses, seminars, webinars, events or conferences accredited under this category. Applicants should check with their training providers on whether the training has been awarded SDUs before

enrollment.

Q7. What is the maximum number of SDUs an applicant can submit for Category 2?

A7. There is no cap for SDUs submitted under this category. The number of SDUs for each accredited course or seminar or webinars or events or conferences will be decided by the CPD Board.

Under Tier 1 of Category 2

• Applicant will be accorded 1 SDU for every contact hour up to a maximum of 20 SDUs for each accredited course, seminar, webinar, event or conference.

• Applicants who undertake accredited in-depth and formal academic study will be accorded up to a maximum of 40 SDUs for each accredited programme.

Under Tier 2 of Category 2

• Applicant will be accorded 1 SDU for every two contact hours up to maximum of 10 SDUs for selected supervisory and technical training.

Q8. How can an applicant qualify for Category 3?

A8. Applicant has to submit evidence of involvement in any of the following areas, subject to MOM approval:

• Participation in professional boards, committees & societies

• Professional membership

• Trainer conducted accredited WSH courses and training

• Writing and/or editing technical papers

• Awarded patents

• Attended non accredited WSH training including internationally recognised courses/conferences

• Contributed to WSH at national/industry level such as volunteer in Crane or Work at Heights (WAH) clinic.

Q9. When will the current SDU framework for WSHO renewal be officially replaced by the revised frameworks?

A9. The effective date of the revised SDU framework will start 1 Jan 2023.

All points accrued before the effective date will be valid for one renewal cycle. 

Q10. Why are some courses excluded from Category 2?

A10. Courses previously accepted under the current framework, including refresher occupational first-aid course will be excluded as the CPD board has assessed these courses do not fulfil CPD objectives under the revised SDU framework.

Q11. From 1 Jan 2023, will an applicant be able to renew his WSHO registration with SDUs submitted under previous framework?

A11. Applicant can still renew WSHO registration with SDUs obtained under previous framework (Structured / unstructured categories) within past 2 years.

Q12. Can an applicant carry forward excess SDUs submitted for the last renewal?

A12. With effect from 1 Jan 2023, excess SDUs (above 40 SDUs) will not be carried over to next renewal. Excess SDUs will still be carried forward if the applicant submit renewal on or before 30

Dec 2022. Only excess SDUs approved to be carried forward from last renewal will be reflected on the eService.

Q13. When does an applicant submit SDUs under the revised SDU framework?

A13. Applicant needs to submit SDUs under the new SDU framework with effect from 1 Jan 2023

a) On or before 30 Dec 2022

Applicant can submit the SDUs based on the current Structured and Unstructured SDU categories.

b) From 1 Jan 2023

Applicant must submit the SDUs under the new framework