Workplace Safety and Health Advisory

 WSH Advisory for Fatal Accidents in Second Half of 2023

The Ministry of Manpower has released the WSH statistics for 2023. Singapore’s workplace fatality rate for 2023 has reduced to a record low of 0.99 per 100,000 workers, and we need all stakeholders to remain committed and unwavering in our efforts to sustain our low fatality rate.  

In the spirit of prevention, the WSH Council has prepared a WSH Advisory based on the fatalities occurred in the second half of 2023. In this Advisory, we have grouped the fatalities based on incident types (e.g. fall from height). The recommendations within the Advisory are also tailored to address the incident types. 

We want employers, supervisors and workers to learn from these past incidents and adopt the recommendations to prevent the next incident from occurring.

To learn more of the following workplace categories and its associated recommendation and corrective click on the respective accident category

Electrocution 

Fall from height

Environmental Factors

Forklift Related

Lifting related

Struck by Object

Vehicular Related

Heat Stress Management

Managing heat stress as Singapore gets warmer

2023 was Singapore’s fourth-hottest year1, with a sweltering high of 37°C in May 2023. In the Third National Climate Change Study2, Singapore’s climate is projected to become warmer, with very hot days becoming more frequent by the end of this century.

The rise in temperatures put workers, especially those working outdoors, at an increased risk of heat stress. For work to continue in a safe manner, employers will need to do more to protect outdoor workers.

In the upcoming months, the Ministry of Manpower will be conducting workplace inspections in the construction, shipyards and process industries, to check the effectiveness of heat stress measures for outdoor work.

Figure 1: Workers at a construction site working under direct sun.

Implementing an Effective Heat Stress Management Programme

To protect workers and increase resilience to rising temperatures, employers are required to implement enhanced heat stress measures for outdoor work3. Workplaces are to ensure effective implementation of the following protective measures: 

Figure 2: Example of a portable WBGT monitor.

Other Heat Stress Protective Measures

• Adequate ventilation: Cool rest and work areas with fans or air coolers.

• Light-coloured clothes: Provide breathable, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing for outdoor workers to wear.

• Work rescheduling: Carry out physical work during cooler parts of the day.

• Mechanical assistance: Reduce physical exertion with mechanical aids, like manual handling equipment and powered tools.

Early recognition of signs and symptoms: Implement a buddy system to aid early recognition of heat-related signs, symptoms and illnesses (e.g. fainting spells, disoriented behaviours) for prompt interventions.

Heat-related illnesses may affect workplace safety or lead to a workplace accident. The WSH Council urges employers to partner workers and manage heat stress effectively, for a safe and healthy workplace.

1 The Straits Times (29 Jan 2024): 2023 was Singapore’s 4th hottest year, based on records kept from 1929 onwards.

2 Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment’s Joint Media Release on Singapore’s Third National Climate Change Study (5 Jan 2024).

3 Ministry of Manpower’s Press Release on Enhanced Measures to Reduce Heat Stress for Outdoor Workers (Oct 2023).

4 Workers who are vulnerable to heat stress includes those who are newly assigned to outdoor work; unacclimatised to working in hot environments (e.g. new or returning from countries with a cold climate); returning from long leave of more than a week; recovering from prolonged illness; and have personal factors (e.g. chronic diseases, medication use, history of heat injury or pregnant).

5 Refer to Page 17 of WSH Guidelines on Managing Heat Stress in the Workplace for an example of how to gradually increase a worker’s daily heat exposure.

For more information: 

Ministry of Manpower

Enhanced Heat Stress Measures for Outdoor Work

FAQs on Heat Stress Measures for Outdoor Work

National Environment Agency

Heat Stress Advisory

Workplace Safety and Health Institute

OWLinks Issue 79 – Heat Stress in the Workplace

Workplace Safety and Health Council

WSH Guidelines on Managing Heat Stress in the Workplace

Heat Stress Management Compliance Checklist

Specifications for WBGT Meters for Workplace Measurement

Monitor and Manage Heat Stress Poster

MOM & SCDF Joint Circular

Joint Circular issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)

SAFE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES

Background

1 On 7 March 2023, an explosion followed by a fire occurred in a room that served a motor workshop, causing parts of the building’s walls to collapse. Investigations revealed that the fire was likely due to the ignition of accumulated flammable vapours from a waste oil collection tank within the room.

2 Days later, another fire incident occurred on 13 March 2023. The fire engulfed an industrial building and caused minor injuries to two workers. Investigations indicated that uncontrolled electrostatic discharge had ignited flammable vapours generated during a dispensing process. Both incidents were dangerous occurrences that could have caused fatalities.

Storage of Flammable Liquids

3 To prevent similar fires, occupiers shall ensure that flammable liquids are kept away from all sources of heat or ignition such as hot surfaces, open flames and even equipment that are not suitably enclosed to prevent internal sparks from igniting any flammables in the surrounding (see Annex A for examples); and stored in containers made of non-combustible materials of sound integrity, labelled, and covered to prevent accidental spills and accumulation of flammable vapours in the workplace (see Annex B for examples).

4 Effective controls shall also be implemented to mitigate electrostatic discharge. This includes the installation of grounding and bonding systems as well as the conduct of annual continuity tests, both by competent persons1

 1 Such as licensed electrical workers (LEWs).

Management of Flammable Wastes

5 Flammable liquid wastes, such as petrol collected from vehicle repair/servicing activities, can cause fires and explosions. Motor workshop operators, for example, shall identify and ensure that liquid wastes containing such flammable liquids are stored separately from non-flammable liquid wastes, before collection by licenced toxic industrial waste collectors (TIWCs). Mixtures of flammable liquid waste and liquids shall be treated as flammable liquids unless they have been laboratory-tested as non-flammable and may therefore be subjected to licensing requirements by the SCDF

6 TIWCs licensed by National Environment Agency shall be engaged to dispose flammable liquid waste or mixtures. A list of TIWCs can be found here or via the QR code.

Other Control Measures to Prevent Fires and Explosions

7 There are other control measures for flammable substances that are required to prevent fires and explosions in the workplace. Occupiers can refer to the resources listed below, for information and practical guidance. Occupiers can also refer to SCDF’s website on Information of Petroleum and Flammable Material (P&FM) Storage Licence

Resources

o WSH Guidelines on Flammable Materials, published by the WSH Council

o Environment Public Health (Toxic Industrial Waste) Regulations

o Fire Safety Act and Fire Safety (Petroleum and Flammable Materials) Regulations

o WSH (Risk Management) Regulations

o SS 532: Code of Practice for the Storage of Flammable Liquids

o SS 586-1: Specification for Hazard Communication for Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous

Goods – Part 1: Transport and Storage of Dangerous Goods

o SS 586-2: Specification for Hazard Communication for Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous

Goods – Part 2: Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

o SS 603: Code of Practice for Hazardous Waste Management

Annex A – Store Flammables away from Heat and Ignition Sources

The lack of an effective bonding and grounding system can lead to unintended discharge of accumulated electrostatic charges during the transfer of flammable liquids.

Unsealed containers holding flammable liquids are capable of emitting flammable vapours into the work environment

When flammable vapours meet heat or ignition sources, fires and explosions can occur. Some heat or ignition sources include:

• Open flames, such as welding, candles;

• Sparks and excessive heat from machinery moving parts;

• Overloaded power sockets, exposed electrical wires and circuitry.

Annex B – Suitable Storage for Flammable Liquids

Cabinets for flammable substances

Sealed metal drums

Metal jerry cans