Safe Working on Fragile Surface

 Beware of fragile surfaces when working at height

What is fragile surface
Fragile surfaces may look like any stable, solid floor. However, they cannot hold a person’s weight and may result in a fall when stepped on unknowingly.

Examples of fragile surfaces include:

• Unreinforced fibre-cement sheets and liner panels
• •Rooflights and glass
• •Corroded metal sheets
• Wood wool and chipboards

It is essential to identify fragile surfaces and protect your employees working near them to prevent falls from height.

Be prepared. Read the Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights.

Take proper preventive measures such as having a fall prevention plan and permit-to-work system.

Alert potential hazards to your employees with warning signs.

Empower your employees with checklists on working at height or on roofs so that they know what to look out for.

Fragile surfaces are a serious work-at-height concern. Skylights, false flooring, ceiling panels, sheeted and tiled roofs are examples of fragile surfaces that may look like normal solid flooring to the untrained eye. However, they are not designed to support a person’s weight. A worker who steps on a fragile surface will face the risk of falling through it to the ground below.

The following are some control measures companies have put in place to protect workers from falling through a fragile surface. 

For more information:

WSH Legislation

WSH Act 2006

WSH (Risk Management) Regulations

WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007

WSH (Work at Heights) Regulations 2013

Singapore Standard

SS 528: Specification for Personal Fall-arrest Systems

   Part 1: Full-body harnesses

   Part 2: Lanyards and energy absorbers

   Part 3: Self-retracting lifelines

   Part 4: Vertical rails and vertical lifelines incorporating a sliding-type fall arrester

   Part 5: Connectors with self-closing and self-locking gates

   Part 6: System performance tests

SS 541: 2008 Restraint belts (Incorporating Amendment No. 1, April 2012)

SS 570: 2022 Personal protective equipment for protection against falls from a height

   Part 1: Single-point anchor devices

   Part 2: Flexible horizontal lifeline systems

SS 607: 2015 Specification for Design of Active Fall-protection Systems

Ministry of Manpower

WSH National Statistics Report 2023

Workplace Safety and Health Council

Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management

Code of Practice for Working Safely at Heights

WSH Guidelines on Working Safely on Roofs

WSH Guidelines on Anchorage, Lifelines and Temporary Edge Protection Systems

WSH Guidelines on Personal Protective Equipment for Work at Heights

Work at Heights Toolkit for Supervisors

Worker’s Safety Handbook for Work at Height

ABC Checklist for Working Safely at Heights

ABC Checklist for Working on Rooftops

6 Basic WSH Rules for Working on Roofs

6 Basic WSH Rules for Working at Heights

WSH Poster: Working on Fragile Roof Surfaces

WSH Pictogram: Workers have died falling through fragile surfaces.

WSH Insights: Prevent Falls from Open Sides

WSH Insights: Prevent Falls with Travel Restraints

Presentation Slides by Roofing Association of Singapore: Working on Fragile Surfaces

UK Health and Safety Executive

Fragile roofs: Safe Working Practices

Safe Use of Combustible Dust

Measures for safe use of combustible dust

What is combustible dust?

Combustible dust is defined as any finely divided combustible particulate solid that may present a flash fire or explosion hazard when suspended in the air. You may find the list of combustible dust in the Fourth Schedule of the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations.

Effective 1 January 2025, the list of hazardous substances in the Fifth Schedule of the WSH Act will be expanded to include combustible dust. Duties of manufacturers and suppliers will also be extended to include combustible dust.

Labelling for combustible dust

All packages and containers of combustible dust in workplaces are required to be labelled to include:

• An alert of combustible dust hazard. The statement "Warning: May form explosible dust-air mixture if dispersed" needs to be explicitly stated on the label.

Precautionary measures to be taken when handling combustible dust.

For organic combustible dust such as flour, sugar, or potato starch, labelling will only be required for packages of 25kg and above.

You may refer to examples of warning labels for containers of combustible dust.

Notification to MOM on use of combustible dust

Factories that handle, sort, pack, store, process, manufacture or use combustible dust specified in the Fourth Schedule of the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations at or above the prescribed threshold quantity will be required to notify MOM and the owner of the factory such as the building owner or landlord.

Occupiers are required to:

• Notify MOM
• At least one month before starting the use of any particular combustible dust in your factory at or above the threshold quantity
• At the soonest possible before increasing the quantity of any particular combustible dust in your factory to or above the threshold quantity, if that combustible dust is currently in use
• Not later than one month after stopping the use of all combustible dust at your factory
• Notify the owner of the factory
• Before starting the use of any particular combustible dust in your factory at or above the threshold quantity
• After stopping the use of all combustible dust at your factory

This allows MOM to have oversight on factories with a combustible dust risk and for landlords to take proactive steps to avoid incompatible work among tenants.

You may refer to WSH (General Provisions) Regulations on existing control measures to prevent an explosion in the workplace arising from explosive or flammable dust.

SCDF Circular on PFM Licence

TRANSITION TO GOBUSINESS PORTAL FOR PETROLEUM AND FLAMMABLE MATERIALS (P&FM) STORAGE AND TRANSPORT LICENCES APPLICATIONS

To All Petroleum and Flammable Material Licensees

This circular informs P&FM licensees that all applications for P&FM storage and transport licences will be ported from the current LicenceOne portal to the Gobusiness (GoBiz) portal, effective from 06 December 2024. The GoBiz portal is a Whole of Government (WOG) initiative by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) which serves as a comprehensive business licensing system, enabling business and vocational licensees to conduct electronic transactions with Ministries and Statutory Boards. This includes applications for new licences, renewals, amendments, terminations, payment processing, and inquiries regarding application or licence statuses. In the next phase, the P&FM pipeline and import licences applications will also be ported to the GoBiz portal.

2. The P&FM Licence applications in the Gobiz portal will introduce new features as follows:

• Transport Licence Duration: The system will automatically provide the maximum licence duration. Applicants may choose to reduce the duration only, based on their business needs.

• Transport Chemical Declaration: Applicant will be required to select the chemical classes and chemical names.

• Transport Licence Payment: Applicant will be required to make payment immediately on SCDF website after application submission, for the licence to be processed.

• Licence Amendment: Applicant can apply for re-issuance of licence in Gobusiness with the amended administrative details.

• Licence Cancellation: Applicant can apply to terminate the licence in GoBusiness. 

MOM Adversary : Adverse Weather Conditions

Singapore is experiencing the effects of climate change together with other countries near the region. Strong winds and heavy rains lashed across Singapore saw toppling trees, snarling traffic and causing property damage.

The Ministry of Manpower and WSH Council urge workplaces to prepare for erratic and sudden changes in weather conditions, such as stronger winds, warmer temperatures, longer dry spells, increase occurrences in lightning, and flash floods.

To better prepare for erratic and adverse weather events, especially for outdoor work,

Companies are encouraged to:

• Monitor weather conditions: Use weather monitoring systems and alerts (e.g. by subscribing to the Heat Stress Level/Rainfall/Lightning/Air Quality alerts via the National Environment Agency’s myENV mobile app) to stay informed about upcoming weather conditions.
• Review risk assessments: Consider the impact of adverse weather events and implement suitable risk controls for specific work activities affected by the climate condition.
• Communicate possible hazards to workers: Train workers to recognise the hazard, and report to their supervisor and/or stop work as necessary especially in an emergency.
• Prepare a recovery plan: Check and ensure the integrity of affected structures and critical outdoor machineries and equipment after the weather event.

Recommendations on suitable risk controls include: 

For more information, refer to the WSH Council’s Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management, the Ministry of Manpower’s Heat Stress Measures for Outdoor Work, Guidelines for Employers on Protecting Employees from the Effect of Haze, and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Factsheet on Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors.

Smaller-scale Construction Works Safety

 Smaller-scale Construction Works Safety

In 2023, 11 fatalities and 100 major injuries resulting from smaller-scale construction works (e.g. addition and alteration works, renovation and facility management)  These smaller-scale works are of major concern as they caused 66% of the fatal and major injuries in the construction sector for 2023.

Common failure observed include the use of equipment in poor condition (e.g. damaged ladders, damaged hoarding supports), poor workplace housekeeping (e.g. loose electrical cables left on the ground), inadequate fall prevention/protection measures, use of improper footwear, and missing safety data sheets for chemicals used at the workplace.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be conducting inspections targeting smaller-scale construction projects (including those in commercial malls) with a contract value of less than $5 million In the upcoming months

Below are some good workplace safety and health (WSH) practices commonly adopted by companies to prevent injuries arising from hazards found in smaller-scale construction works. The WSH Council urges companies to conduct proper risk assessments and adopt the following good practices to be well prepared for MOM’s upcoming inspections.

Workplace Noise Induced Deafness Prevention

Workplace Noise-Induced Deafness Prevention

Do you know what is the leading occupational disease in Singapore? Yes your are correct, it is the Noise-induced deafness (NID) .

Workers may be exposed to excessive noise emitted by equipment, machinery or even processes at the workplace. Hearing loss is an irreversible process and can lead to communication difficulties, disruptions in job performance, and impact one’s livelihood and quality of life.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be conducting inspections on noisy work environments in the manufacturing sector In the upcoming months

Below are some of the good practices adopted by companies to protect their workers' hearing and urge more companies to do the same:

Measure workplace noise

Workplace noise monitoring determines noise levels in the work environment to assess if workers are at risk of hearing loss.

• Conduct a site walkabout to identify noisy equipment, tools and work processes. Common sources of noise at workplaces include:

Engage a competent person (i.e. a noise monitoring officer) to measure:

• Noise levels emitted by the noisy equipment, tools and work processes; and
• Noise exposure (e.g. using personal dosimetry) of any worker exposed to excessive noise.

Develop action plans based on the noise monitoring report:

• Implement noise reduction measure(s) for each identified noise source.
• Designate each identified noisy work area as a “hearing protector zone” with warning signs displayed.
• Send workers identified to be exposed to excessive noise for yearly audiometric examination.

Manage workplace noise levels

Reduce a worker’s exposure to noise and prevent NID by implementing these noise control measures:

Examples of noise reduction measures implemented by companies

Monitor workers’ hearing through audiometric examinations

Audiometric examinations are hearing tests to determine if a worker has normal hearing, early NID or advanced NID. Yearly audiometric examinations allow for early NID detection, so that immediate intervention can be carried out to prevent further hearing loss.

• Send new hires for audiometric examination before or within three months of starting employment.
• Send existing workers who are exposed to excessive noise for yearly audiometric examinations.

Confirm that the hearing tests are carried out by trained personnel in an audiometric booth. For more accurate results, limit the worker’s exposure to noise for at least 16 hours before the hearing test.

Support workers diagnosed with occupational NID:

• Provide them with suitable hearing protectors and remind them to wear them.
• Redeploy them to less noisy work activities and/or reduce their time spent in noisy work environments.
• Arrange additional follow up audiometric examinations and consultations as deemed necessary by the doctor.

Note that employers are required to submit an incident report to MOM for each worker diagnosed with occupational NID

Confined Spaces Safe Work Practices

Confined Spaces Safe Work Practices

Working inside a confined spaces can be hazardous due to the possibility of explosions, fires, poisonous fumes, or oxygen shortages. Three workplace deaths occurred between 2021 and 2023 as a result of working in confined spaces. And 2 workers lost their lives in the first half of 2024 as a result of being overexposed to hydrogen sulfide after entering a service tunnel to do tank cleaning tasks.

The WSH Council has compiled the following good practices for confined space work. Companies are reminded to implement these practices to protect their workers from confined space hazards.

Construction Site Workplace Fatality

SINGAPORE – Construction site workplace fatality involving a local site engineer and a Bangladeshi construction worker. Both died on Sept 17 after they were struck by heavy machinery at a worksite in Lentor Avenue for the upcoming North-South Corridor.

Singapore Civil Defence Force paramedic pronounced the Bangladeshi worker,39 dead at the scene while the engineer, 38, was unconscious when taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where he died due to his injuries.

Two other workers, aged 32 and 47, were also taken to the same hospital after the accident, which happened at about 1.20pm.

According to LTA the four were assembling a winch drum that was resting on two concrete blocks when the winch, which is typically used in the lifting of heavy materials, slid off the blocks and struck them

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that as a general safety measure, heavy machinery or structures must be secured in a stable manner to reduce the risk of slipping or toppling

**Cause of Accident**: 

The winch drum, used for lifting heavy materials, slid off its concrete supports while the workers were assembling it

**Ongoing Investigation**: 

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) are investigating the incident, and LTA has paused work to review safety protocols. 5. **Previous Safety Incidents**: This is the second fatal accident at a North-South Corridor construction site in a year. At this point in time, the root causes are not yet known as the investigation is still ongoing

MOM Revised Heat Stress Framework

REVISED FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE EMPLOYERS AND PROTECT OUTDOOR WORKERS AGAINST HEAT STRESS

With global warming, rising temperatures in Singapore will place workers, especially outdoor workers, at an increased risk of heat stress. Unlike the general population, outdoor workers have less discretion over their work activities, and may be more vulnerable to heat stress. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), in consultation with the industry and tripartite partners, has reviewed our heat stress management measures to ensure outdoor workers are adequately protected at varying temperatures, while allowing flexibility for employers to adjust and implement measures based on their localised conditions. 

The framework for outdoor workers has been aligned with the three-tier Heat Stress Advisory for the general population, which is based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)[1]. The framework includes required measures that are critical in mitigating the risk of heat stress, such as heat acclimatisation, regular hydration, monitoring of WBGT and provision of adequate rest breaks under shade, that must be implemented. There are also recommended practices, such as close monitoring of worker’s health condition and provision of ventilation, for employers to consider at the different WBGT bands. The framework is appended in the Annex.

MOM will conduct inspections at workplaces to ensure that required measures under the framework are implemented. More information on the framework can be found at go.gov.sg/heatstress-outdoorwork

Annex

Note: Bold items are required measures that must be implemented at the respective WBGT bands.

* Workers vulnerable to heat stress include:  

· Older workers above 65 years old of age  

· Pregnant workers  

· Overweight or obese workers  

· Newly assigned to outdoor work 

· Unacclimatised to working in hot environments such as new or returning from countries with cold climate 

· Returning from long leave of more than 1 week 

· Currently unwell or recovering from illness 

· With personal risk factors such as chronic diseases, medication use, or history of heat injury

Note: 

This list is not exhaustive and neither covers all individual variabilities nor all conditions. 

Workers should consult a medical doctor if they have any of the above health related conditions and wish to be certified fit to work outdoors. 

Workers with other medical conditions or who are uncertain should consult a medical doctor.

Employers who wish to deploy vulnerable workers have a duty to ensure they are fit for outdoor work. They should seek the worker’s consent and make provisions for the worker to consult a medical doctor. 

Hazards of Overfilling Skid Bin

 Advisory to Waste Generators and General Waste Collectors (GWCs)

SINGAPORE : Joint circular from WSH Council , LTA and NEA seek the cooperation of waste generators and other users of OTCs such as companies and Town Councils to help ensure that the OTCs are not overfilled at their premises.

Exceeding the Maximum Laden Weight of vehicles attracts a fine

Overfilled OTCs that exceed the maximum laden weight (MLW)1 is a hazard to both drivers and other road users. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act for vehicles that exceed the MLW to be used on the road; and vehicles found in violation of load limits may face fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months for first-time offenders, and doubled for repeat offenders.

Overfilled OTCs Should Not Be Hauled for Safety Reasons

Under the licensing conditions, the GWCs are required to ensure that the OTCs are not overly filled with waste and that waste must be securely covered during transportation. Failure to do so could pose safety hazards to other road users, e.g. waste could drop off on the road. Similarly, this would compromise the safety of the drivers and staff of the disposal facilities. 

Hence, OTCs should only be filled up to their brim, which also makes it easier for the OTCs to be securely covered for transportation.

GWCs have the rights to reject collection of overfilled OTCs if waste generators do not cooperate and ensure no overfilling of OTCs. Errant GWCs found hauling overfilled OTCs may

be subject to enforcement action.

Negative examples of overfilling the open top containers

Positive examples of filling up an open top container

Construction Site Workplace Fatality

SINGAPORE: A 35-year-old construction worker died  after he was struck by a reversing dump truck at a worksite at a junction of Tanah Merah Coast Road and the Changi East development, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Friday

A 36-year-old man was arrested for causing death by a rash or negligent act, said the police, adding that investigations are ongoing.

The construction worker was employed by Hua Hao Development, while the occupier of the worksite is Huationg Contractor, said an MOM spokesperson in response to queries from CNA on Friday.

"As a general safety measure, a traffic management plan must be implemented to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians in the workplace, including the deployment of a trained banksman to guide reversing vehicles when necessary," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that MOM is also investigating the incident.

Learning points to consider: 

1. *Clear visibility and spotters*: 

Ensure that drivers of reversing vehicles have clear visibility or are assisted by spotters to prevent accidents. This can be achieved through proper training, use of cameras or sensors, and designated spotters. 

2. *Segregation of pedestrians and vehicles*: 

Implement effective segregation measures to separate pedestrians and vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents. This can include designated walkways, barriers, and clear signage. 

3. *Reversing protocols and procedures*: 

Establish and enforce strict reversing protocols and procedures, including: - Mandatory spotters or guides - Use of reverse alarms or warning lights - Designated reversing areas or zones - Worker training on reversing hazards and procedures

Vehicular Safety in Workplaces

Four workplace fatalities and 19 major injuries1 resulting from vehicular-related accidents (excluding work-related traffic accidents)reported in 2023. Root cause identified include; Lack of a or inadequate Traffic Management Plan (TMP), non-compliance to the TMP, and negligence by the vehicle operator and/or co-workers are common causes of vehicular-related incidents in the workplace.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be conducting inspections targeting vehicular safety in industries such as transport & storage, marine, manufacturing, services, and construction in the upcoming months, 

Below are good workplace safety and health (WSH) practices commonly adopted by companies to prevent vehicular-related incidents. The WSH Council urges companies to establish a TMP and adopt these good practices to be well prepared for MOM’s upcoming inspections

For more information: 

WSH Legislation

WSH Act 2006

WSH (Risk Management) Regulations

Regulation 28 of WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007

Ministry of Manpower

WSH National Statistics Report 2023

Vehicular Safety Technologies

Workplace Safety and Health Council

Online Topic Page on Vehicular Safety

SME WSH Pack on Vehicular Safety

WSH Guidelines on Workplace Traffic Safety Management

Sample Checklist for Workplace Traffic Management

Case Studies Booklet – Logistics and Transport Industry

Unsafe and Safe Practices – Safety Lapses in the Logistics Industry 

Sample Checklist for Workplace Traffic Management

Sample Checklist for Pre-Operation of Vehicles

6 Basic WSH Rules for Traffic Management

6 Basic WSH Rules for Safe Forklift Operation

6 Basic WSH Rules for Loading on Vehicles

WSH infographic on Safer Workplaces Through Presence Detection

WSH pictograms and animations:

Maintain 3-point Contacts When Entering or Exiting the Heavy Vehicle

Buckle Seat Belt Before Driving Off

Check Your Blind Spots

Engage Your Hand Brake Fully

Put Wheel Chock When the Heavy Vehicle is Parked

Use a Designated Pedestrian Walkway

WSH videos:

Safe Driving of Vehicles

I Can Prevent Vehicular Accidents: Blind Spots

WSH Circular WSH Coordinator Training

WSH Circular WSH Coordinator Refresher Training

To: Construction Companies that employ WSH Coordinators

WSH Coordinator Refresher Training

With reference to the circular MOM/OSHD/2023-02 issued on 16 Feb 2023 (refer to https://www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health/wsh-circulars), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reminds Construction Companies to send WSH Coordinators who are appointed to work in their worksites to attend the WSH Coordinator Refresher Training every two years.

2 The WSH Act requires the Employer and the Principal to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of the workers. This includes providing these workers with adequate training for them to perform their work. The WSH Coordinator Refresher Training provides continuous training to build up

a WSH Coordinator’s competencies in assisting the occupier to manage workplace injury risks. This allows the WSH Coordinator to bridge WSH directives from the management to workers, and see to the implementation and compliance with WSH practices.

4. The refresher training will be conducted in two parts:

i) e-learning (to be completed within a week), which can be carried out anywhere, anytime, and completed by different sections, at the participant’s convenience using his/her mobile phones or any other internet-connected devices; AND

ii) a one day in-person training session, AFTER the participant has completed his/her e-learning.

5. The refresher training provides new information not covered in the WSH Coordinators’ Advanced Certificate in WSH course. Learners will be updated on the latest WSH developments, and key areas such as good WSH practices and effective management of contractors. There will be activities where they can apply their knowledge and skills to practical work scenarios with case studies relevant to construction as well as other different industries.

6. The refresher training fees is estimated to be about $100, at the company’s cost, and should not be deducted from the WSH Coordinator’s salary. You may contact either training provider, as listed below, to sign up your WSH Coordinator/s for the refresher training and register via the registration QR code. The training provider will assist with the setting up of email address account, if required, for any WSH Coordinator who does not have an email address account. The email address is necessary and required for the WSH Coordinator to access the e-learning.

7. To access the FAQs on the programme, you may scan the QR code below:

8. All WSH Coordinators who attend the refresher training will have their training records updated in MOM WSH Training Record System (TRS). MOM may conduct checks to ensure compliance of the training requirement for all your WSH Coordinators.

9. For any query pertaining to the WSH Coordinator Refresher Training, please email to wsh_training@wshc.sg.

WSH Circular Safe Use Storage Racks

 WSH Circular Safe Use of Storage Racks

FACTORIES WITH WAREHOUSE STORAGE

Occupiers and employers engaged in warehouse and storage operations are reminded to take all reasonably practicable measures to ensure that the storage racks at your workplace are safe for use. You may refer to Annex A for guidance on some of the relevant WSH requirements. 

Step 1. Check your existing storage racks to ensure that they are designed for the intended storage load and have been properly installed.

Step 2. Perform a risk assessment on the use of storage racks.

Step 3. Establish a maintenance regime for the storage racks.

Annex A - Relevant WSH Requirements for Safe Use of Storage Racks

The following is a non-comprehensive list of relevant WSH requirements.

1) Design Consideration

The design of storage racks must allow for safe use and maintenance. The following should be considered in the design of storage racks:

a) Storage racks must be structurally stable and designed with the intended use in mind (e.g. weight, volume, shape, dimensions, environment to be used in etc.).

b) The safe working load of the storage racks should be prominently displayed. In particular, if the storage racks are stacked, the lower racks must be designed to take into account of the weight of the upper racks and their corresponding goods.

c) There should be safe means of access to the goods being stored, including proper work-at-heights measures.

d) The physical environment where the storage racks are to be used should be considered. For example, racks that are placed in areas where there is vehicular moment (e.g. forklifts, reach trucks etc) should be designed to withstand impact from possible collisions. In a cold room environment, temperature swings may require special considerations for corrosion protection due to moisture and other effects on the structural integrity of storage racks.

e) A re-assessment of the storage rack’s design should be carried before any change of use, including a change in the nature of goods to be stored.

2) Use of Storage Racks

The following measures are to be taken when using storage racks:

a) Use of storage racks should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

b) Conduct a risk assessment for the use of the storage racks.

c) Establish safe work procedures for work activities involving storage racks. The procedures should include confirming that the combined weight of the intended goods to be stored does not exceed the safe working load of the racks. In particular, if the racks are stacked, the bottom racks must have sufficient loading capacity to hold the racks and goods stored above.

d) Ensure that warehouse personnel made aware of the safe working loads and are trained on the safe work procedures for stacking and/or storage of goods.

3) Maintenance of Storage Racks

The following measures are to be taken when maintaining storage racks:

a) Maintenance of the storage racks should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.

b) Storage racks and accompanying accessories (including pallets) should be regularly inspected to ensure their structural integrity (for example, no signs of damage or corrosion). Any defective part must be repaired or replaced before use.

Joint Circular on Nail Salon Safety

 Protecting Employees’ and Customers’ Health from Chemicals in Nail Salons

This circular provides guidance to nail salons on measures that can protect employees’ and customers’ health by minimising exposure to harmful chemicals.

Nail care products such as nail polishes, fingernail glues, and nail polish removers contain chemicals, some of which can be harmful to the health of nail salon employees and customers1. These products are regulated as cosmetic products under the Health Products

Act and must meet safety requirements specified in Act, as well as the Health Products (Cosmetic Products – ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations. To assist nail salons with

compliance, the safety requirements are set out in this Circular.

Use products that comply with safety requirements

a. Check that nail care products have been notified with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), by checking HSA’s infosearch. Ensure that nail care products used do not contain prohibited chemicals and that restricted chemicals are used within the specified conditions

of use by referring to the Third Schedule of the cosmetic products regulation. For example:

▪ Formaldehyde is not allowed to be added as an ingredient into all cosmetic products, including nail care products.

▪ Toluene is only permitted in nail care products up to a maximum

concentration of 25%.

o A cosmetic product containing prohibited chemicals or using restricted chemicals not within the specified conditions of use would be considered an unwholesome health product. A person who manufactures, imports, or supplies an unwholesome

A person who manufactures, imports, or supplies an unwholesome health product is liable to a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.

If the product cannot be found on HSA’s infosearch, inform your nail care product supplier to submit a notification via HSA’s website. A person who supplies an un-notified cosmetic product is liable to a fine of up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment up to 12 months.

b. Ensure that nail care products used comply with labelling requirements, including listing all ingredients on the product labels.

o Inform your nail care product supplier to add a warning label of “Contains formaldehyde”, if their products contain permitted preservatives that can release formaldehyde2 exceeding 0.05%.

o A person who supplies a cosmetic product that does not comply with this labelling requirement is liable to a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.

Choose safer products

c. Minimise chemical exposures by using products that are water-based or have a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs, such as formaldehyde, toluene, xylene).

Follow safe work practices

d. Communicate to employees the hazards of handling nail care products, and encourage them to adopt safe work practices such as:

o Good housekeeping, e.g. keep dispenser bottles closed when not in use, clean up spills immediately.

o When applying nail care products, use only the amount needed to minimise chemical emissions into the air.

o Dispose of waste containing nail care products in sealed bags or keep wastebins covered. Empty wastebins frequently.

o Where needed, use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and goggles to protect employees’ skin and eyes. Nail salon operators should refer to the information in product labels or information sheets and provide the appropriate PPEs where necessary.

Ensure good ventilation and indoor air quality

e. Ventilate the space within the nail salon. If the salon has an air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation system that provides

outdoor air, check that the system is in good working condition.

o In air-conditioned spaces with no outdoor air supply, consider opening doors and windows to facilitate air exchange when feasible. Additionally, consider using local exhaust systems such as portable ventilation machines or ventilated tables to minimise exposure to VOCs emitted.

f. To maintain good indoor air quality for the wellbeing of customers and employees, operators may also refer to the advisory limits of specific VOCs in the Singapore Standard SS554: Code Of Practice For Indoor Air Quality For Air-Conditioned Buildings.

Useful resources

1. Stay Healthy and Safe While Giving Manicures and Pedicures – a Guide for Nail Salon Workers, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2012, https://www.osha.gov/Publications/3542nail-salon-workers-guide.pdf

2. Controlling Chemical Hazards During the Application of Artificial Fingernails, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1999, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-112/default.html

3. Information Sheet: Taking care of your chemical health and safety in nail bars and salons, Health and Safety Authority, Ireland.

https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Chemical_and_ Hazardous_Substances/Nail_Bars_Info_Sheet.pdf

Note 1 Exposure to chemicals in nail care products may occur via three routes: (1) inhaling volatile organic compounds

(VOCs such as formaldehyde, toluene, xylene) emitted from the products; (2) getting the products on skin or in eyes; or (3) ingesting the products that have come in contact with food or drinks. For example, exposure to formaldehyde can be through inhalation and this may lead to respiratory irritations, allergic reactions, and even

long-term serious health effects such as cancer