Workplace Safety and Health Act And You

Responsibilities of stakeholders

The Workplace Safety & Health Act defines the responsibilities for the following stakeholder groups:

If you are an employer or principal

You must, as far as reasonably practicable, protect the safety and health of employees or workers working under your direct control, as well as all who may be affected by their work. Your responsibilities include:

• conducting risk assessments to remove or control risks to workers at the workplace
• maintaining safe work facilities and arrangements for the workers at work
• ensuring safety in machinery, equipment, plant, articles, substances and work processes at the workplace;
• developing and implementing control measures for dealing with emergencies;
• providing workers with adequate instruction, information, training and supervision.

If you are an occupier

You must, as far as reasonably practicable, ensure that the workplace, all entrances to and exits from the workplace, and all machinery, equipment, plants, articles and substances within are safe and without risk to the health of any person within those premises, even if the person is not one of your employees.

As an occupier, you may also be responsible for the common areas used by your employees and contractors. Occupier of the common area is responsible for the following:

• electric generators and motors located in the common area
• hoists and lifts, lifting gear, lifting appliances and lifting machines located in the common area
• means of entry into or exit from the common area
• any machinery or plant located in the common area

If you are a manufacturer or supplier

You must ensure that any machinery, equipment or substances you provide is safe for use. You are required to:

• provide proper information on the safe use of the machinery, equipment or hazardous substance
• ensure that the machinery, equipment or hazardous substance is safe for use
• ensure that the machinery, equipment or hazardous substance has been tested and examined so that it is safe for use

If you are an installer or erector of machinery

You must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that all machinery and equipment erected, installed or modified is safe and without health risks when properly used.

If you are an employee

• You must follow the safe working procedures and principles introduced at the workplace.
• You must not engage in any unsafe act that may endanger yourself or others working around you.
• You must use, in proper manner, any personal protective equipment, devices, equipments or other means provided to secure your safety, health and welfare while working. You must not tamper or misuse such items provided.

If you are self-employed

Even though you are self-employed, you are still required to take measures, as far as reasonably practicable, to ensure the safety and health of others, such as members of the public.

Refer to Singapore Statues Online for the latest update