Haze-related Workplace Measures

 Employers to Prepare Early on Haze-related Workplace Measures

In view of the possible haze situation in Singapore, employers are reminded to implement precautionary measures outlined in MOM's guidelines and advisory to ensure the health and safety of their workers at the workplace.

Guidelines for employers on protecting employees from the effect of haze

Introduction

Under the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act, the primary responsibility for ensuring an employee’s safety and health at work lies with the employer. Hence, it is incumbent upon employers to carry out a proper risk assessment and to implement appropriate measures, including specifying when to restrict work, so as to ensure that risks identified are minimised or mitigated.

This set of guidelines provides employers with general measures to minimise or mitigate the effects of haze on their employees. Additional measures specific to the work requirements and health conditions of the employees should be instituted based on the risk as assessed by the employers. The health effects depend on the severity of the smoke haze as benchmarked against the PSI (Pollutant Standards Index) reading, the health conditions and level of activity of the employee. The PSI stated in these guidelines refer to the revised 24-hour PSI issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA), which is available online at https://www.nea.gov.sg.

Preparation

Following the announcement of an increased risk of haze by NEA, employers should review the following preparations to protect the safety and health of employees against the effects of haze:

Identify susceptible employees.1

Identify types of outdoor work2 to be reduced when there is haze.

Determine criteria for restricting outdoor work.

Conduct mask fit testing for employees who are still required to work outdoors and ensure at least 1-week supply of N95 masks as part of companies' haze-related Business Continuity Plans.

Improve efficiency of air cleaning devices.

Implement haze communication system between employer and employees.

Management of outdoor work

Depending on the air quality, prolonged3 or strenuous4 outdoor work should be reduced, minimised or avoided. Risk assessments, taking into account the effects of the haze, individual employee’s health and working conditions, should be conducted. Risk mitigating measures should be adopted. Examples of such measures may include:

The use of mechanical aids (e.g. trolleys, hoists) for transporting or carrying heavy objects, instead of manual lifting or carrying.

Consider flexible work arrangements such as adjusting work assignments or rotate jobs to shorten the time spent in outdoor work.

Schedule sufficient indoor rest breaks for workers performing outdoor work.

Ensure adequate hydration for workers.

Monitor employees’ health by encouraging feedback on any symptoms that may occur.

Defer non-essential work.

If prolonged or strenuous outdoor work is not avoidable at higher PSI, and an employer still requires an employee to do so due to extenuating circumstances, suitable masks or appropriate respirators should be provided.

Employers should bear in mind that the use of masks may increase the effort of breathing especially during physical exertion. For some employees, they may experience discomfort in breathing, tiredness or headache. This may be due to their masks causing increased resistance to breathing, and a reduction in the volume of air breathed. Employers should consider instituting regular breaks, slow down pace of work and encourage hydration of employees using masks. At any time, if employees experience breathing difficulty from wearing masks while working outdoors, employers should deploy them to work indoors where the pollutant concentration may be lower. Risk assessment, taking into account the usage of the masks, individual employee’s heath conditions and nature of outdoor work should be conducted. Elderly and pregnant employees as well as those with chronic heart/lung disease should consult their doctors on the usage of masks.

Additionally, visibility factors should also be taken into account, e.g. risk assessments should be conducted to determine whether outdoor lifting operations involving tower and mobile cranes should cease due to the foreseeable risk of poor visibility, so as not to compromise safety of persons at work. Such work can only be carried out when appropriate precautions have been taken to reduce the risk.

Table A provides an overview of the guidelines based on the 24-hour PSI. Employers should note that environmental conditions may fluctuate throughout a work day and factor this into their risk assessments.

Provision of suitable protective equipment

It is the duty of employers to provide suitable masks (e.g. N95 masks) to employees where warranted. Factors to consider in the selection of suitable masks including the nature and levels of pollutants, work tasks and conditions, operator-related factors and any accessories used together with the masks. The purpose of the mask is to ensure that users are adequately protected from inhaling the pollutants and the appropriate masks should be selected for use when required. As an example, for particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), the correct type of mask is one which is capable of filtering out about 95% of very fine particles, such as N95 mask or equivalent.

In hazardous haze situations, an N95 mask which has a protection factor (PF) of 10, may not provide workers with sufficient respiratory protection. As such, respirators with higher PF (e.g. full face respirators) should be considered when performing prolonged outdoor work at 24-hour PSI above 400.

Employers should ensure that employees who need to wear masks or respirators are fit-tested and that sufficient stock is available. Training should be conducted and supervision provided to ensure correct usage. Masks should be changed when soiled/physically damaged or when the wearer finds it hard to breathe. Reference should be made to the Singapore Standard SS 548:2009: Code of Practice for Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices.

Suitable eye protection (e.g. goggles) should be provided when there is eye irritation. However, interaction with masks should be considered when other personal protective equipment is used.

Enhancing protection for indoor work

Please refer to NEA’s website for information on how you can improve the air quality for both non air-conditioned and air-conditioned workplaces with the use of suitable air cleaning devices.

https://www.haze.gov.sg/resources/portable-air-cleaners

To enhance the protection offered by remaining indoors, measures should be taken to reduce haze infiltrating indoor air by keeping windows and doors closed most of the time.

Communication on haze

A system should be put in place to update employees regularly on the mitigating measures including flexible work arrangements taken by the organisation to minimise the safety and health effects of haze on employees. The system should include channels for employees to report adverse effects suffered as a result of the haze.

Table A: Overview of guidelines for employers on protecting employees from the effects of haze

24-Hour PSI	Healthy employees	Elderly, pregnant employees	Employees with chronic lung disease, heart disease	General measures to be taken by employers
≤100 (Good / Moderate)	Normal activities	Normal activities	Normal activities	Initiate preparatory measures to protect the safety and health of employees against the effects of haze.
101-200 (Unhealthy)	Reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor work	Minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor work	Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor work	Take risk mitigating measures such as use of mechanical aids, job rotation, instituting indoor rest breaks, ensuring adequate hydration, etc.
201-300 (Very Unhealthy)	Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor work	Minimise outdoor work	Avoid outdoor work	Take risk mitigating measures such as use of mechanical aids, job rotation, instituting indoor rest breaks, ensuring adequate hydration, etc. If prolonged or strenuous outdoor work is not avoidable, and an employer still requires an employee to do so due to extenuating circumstances, the employer is strongly urged to provide masks.
> 300 (Hazardous)	Minimise outdoor work	Avoid outdoor work	Avoid outdoor work	Take additional risk mitigating measures such as job redeployment, reducing the intensity and duration of outdoor work, institute regular breaks or deferment of non-essential jobs. If outdoor work is not avoidable, and an employer still requires an employee to do so due to extenuating circumstances, masks or appropriate respirators (e.g. full face respirators for prolonged outdoor work at 24-hour PSI>400) should be provided. Risk assessment should consider the additional risk posed by poor visibility for work activities such as lifting operations involving tower and mobile cranes.

Prolonged = continuous exposure for several hours
Strenuous = involving a lot of energy or effort
Reduce = do less
Minimise = do as little as possible
Avoid = do not do

FOOTNOTE

This refers to employees with chronic heart or lung disease, elderly employees, or pregnant employees. Please refer to the MOH health advisories for further information.

Outdoor work is work that is carried out outside buildings regularly or most of the time.

Prolonged = continuous exposure for several hours.

Strenuous = involving a lot of energy or effort.

Tripartite advisory to employers on haze-related workplace measures

Introduction

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) have issued this tripartite advisory to assist employers in preparing and implementing haze-related workplace measures.

Employers should prepare these workplace measures early so that they can be ready to react and implement these measures smoothly depending on the haze situation. It is also important that employers actively engage their union and employees on the planned measures ahead of time. Being prepared early will help mitigate the impact on businesses in the event of haze and reassure employees that appropriate workplace measures are in place.

Mitigating the Effects of Haze on Employees

Employers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Guidelines for Employers on Protecting Employees from the Effects of Haze issued by MOM. Depending on the air quality, prolonged1 or strenuous2 outdoor work should be reduced, minimised or avoided. This could be done through redeployment of the affected workers. Risk assessments should be conducted and risk mitigating measures adopted.

Flexible Work and Leave Arrangements during Haze

Some employees (especially those who are older, pregnant or have respiratory illnesses) may be unable to report for work due to health reasons. Other employees may need to take care of their family members, e.g. if their family member is sick or if there is a need for alternative childcare arrangements should schools or childcare facilities close as a result of the haze situation. In such situations, employers may consider adopting the following measures:

Where possible, implement flexible work arrangements (FWAs) such as telecommuting and staggered work hours to meet organisational and employees’ personal needs. Employers and employees should discuss the appropriate FWAs to be adopted; who are eligible for these FWAs; and any corresponding leave arrangements.

Where such arrangements are not feasible, request the employees to use their leave entitlements such as annual, sick or childcare leave. If employees have exhausted their leave entitlements, employers are encouraged to be flexible in granting paid time off to their employees or allowing them to use advance paid leave or other leave arrangements as far as possible.

Suspension of Business Operations During Haze

Employers will need to make their own risk assessment to decide if they wish to continue with their business operations as the working conditions will differ across different workplaces. Employers who wish to suspend business operations, whether partially or fully, should take note of the following:

If the suspension is on a short-term and ad-hoc basis, employers should bear the costs of doing so and not deduct from the pay or leave entitlements of their affected employees.

If the suspension of business operations is for longer periods, employers should discuss with their union and employees on the appropriate flexible work, leave and salary arrangements to be put in place.

Employers are strongly encouraged to have in place internal company grievance handling procedures to manage any haze-related employment disputes.

Minimising Disruption to Work Due to Haze

Employers should put in place Business Continuity Plans (BCP)3 during peacetime to help minimise work disruptions. Employers are also encouraged to brief employees on the BCP and on the employees’ roles and responsibilities. Employers could plan and conduct BCP exercises to maintain and increase the readiness of the organisation and employees. To help employers defray the cost of BCP adoption, financial assistance is available through Enterprise Singapore's Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)4.

Improvement In Workplace Fatality

IMPROVEMENTS IN WORKPLACE FATALITIES IN 1H 2023

In the first half of 2023 (1H 2023), the annualised fatality rate per 100,000 workers dropped by half to 0.8, as compared to 1.6 for the same period in 2022 (1H 2022), and 1.3 for second half of 2022 (2H 2022). The annualised major injury rate remained stable at 17.2 in 1H 2023 when compared to 17.3 for both 1H and 2H 2022. The improvements reflect the positive outcomes from the Heightened Safety Period (HSP), which ended on 31 May 2023. This also places Singapore back on track towards meeting our WSH2028 aspirations of a fatality rate below 1.0 per 100,000 workers. Based on our safety performance in the past 3 years, Singapore comes after the top four OECD countries.

2 Notwithstanding the above, there is room for improvement in the Construction and Manufacturing sectors - the two biggest contributors for fatal and major injuries. 

a. For the Construction sector, the number of fatalities at regular construction worksites decreased in 1H 2023 compared to 2H 2022. However, more targeted interventions are required for smaller-scale construction works such as Addition & Alteration, Renovation and Facility Management. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will work with relevant agencies and industry to enhance the safety standards for contractors involved in such works. 

b. For the Manufacturing sector, there was an overall decrease in fatalities in 1H 2023. However, the number of major injuries increased, particularly in the Metalworking sub-sector, compared to 2H 2022. The Demerit Point System will be expanded from the Construction sector to the Manufacturing sector in October 2023, as earlier announced by the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST). Additionally, MOM will prioritise targeted inspections to detect and deter breaches in the Metalworking sub-sector.

3 The Government has been sustaining efforts to improve WSH. When Singapore exited the HSP, MAST retained most of the measures introduced during HSP, and added a new set of Safety Accountability, Focus and Empowerment (SAFE) measures to instil greater WSH ownership at the sectoral, company and worker levels. MAST will continue to study if additional SAFE measures are required to improve WSH outcomes in specific sectors. 

4 WSH is a collective responsibility. All stakeholders – the Government, employers, workers, union leaders, industry associations, WSH professionals and members of the public – need to play their part in preventing workplace incidents, and building safer workplaces. 

ANNEX

ANNEXES - INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON-SUMMARY OF FINDINGS-SAFE MEASURES

1H 2023 Workplace Safety and Health Report

1H 2023 Workplace Safety Health Report Infographic

Hospitality Entertainment Vision Zero

Vision Zero is an ongoing movement that calls upon employers, workers, unions, and the government to embrace and commit to a mindset that every injury and ill-health at work is preventable, and a belief that zero harm is possible. The WSH Council calls upon all H&EI establishments to show your support by pledging for the Vision Zero movement, so that we can make all workplaces safe and healthy for our workers.

Organised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and in collaboration with various associations from the Hospitality and Entertainment Industries (H&EI), this event will witness H&EI associations’ representatives pledge for Vision Zero (VZ) and kickstart the industry’s VZ movement. The Forum includes a panel discussion where key industry leaders will share and discuss strategies for implementing VZ, including creating a culture of speaking up for safety and inculcating pervasive WSH training. Exhibition booths at the Forum will feature WSH technologies and equipment, as well as programmes that can support companies in their WSH journey.

Mr Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, Chairman of WSH Council will be the Guest-of-Honour (GOH) for the event. Ms Dawn Teo, Chairperson of the WSH Council (Hospitality & Entertainment Industries) Committee will lead the pledge by the H&EI associations as they embark on the VZ movement. 

Register for the Vision Zero Forum for the Hospitality and Entertainment Industries now.

Find out more about the event programme below:  

WSH Guidelines Construction Procurement

Public Consultation for WSH Guidelines for Procurement in the Construction Industry

Workplace Safety and Health Council is currently seeking industry stakeholders views and insights to help shape the future of workplace safety and health in Singapore

In collaboration with key industry partners, the WSH Council has developed the WSH Guidelines for Procurement in the Construction Industry. This set of guidelines provides guidance to private and public developers on integrating WSH considerations into the procurement process by selecting competent contractors that can execute the construction project in a safe and healthy manner. 

By considering the WSH implications of decisions made during the procurement process, various stakeholders in the construction industry can influence positive WSH outcomes during the construction life-cycle and in turn, strengthen WSH ownership within the industry.

The WSH Council invite industry stakeholders to share your feedback on the draft WSH Guidelines for Procurement in the Construction Industry before it is finalised and published. Please email the completed public consultation form to contact@wshc.sg by 17 October 2023.  

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Safe Use of Machineries and Combustible Dust

From June 2024, manufacturers, suppliers and users of industrial machineries and combustible dust are required to comply with additional standards based on the recommendations of the Tuas Explosion Inquiry Committee. This is part of the Ministry of Manpower’s new SAFE measures to strengthen ownership at the sectoral level.

These new requirements ensure companies are aware of potential hazards so that they can better manage the risks posed by the diversity of machines and substances used in the industry.

To further support the industry, the WSH Council has developed a poster on the “6 Basic WSH Rules for Handling Combustible Dust” to assist the industry on the dos and don’ts when handling combustible dust.

Read more on the new standards on the Safe Use of Machineries and Combustible Dust.

SnapSAFE Reporting Saves Lives

 MOM SnapSAFE - Reporting saves lives

You can report to MOM for workplace safety and health (WSH) violation or lapses.

SnapSAFE is a reporting platform that allows you to report unsafe workplace practices to MOM. You can use SnapSAFE if:

• You see worker/s working unsafely; or
• You spot a hazardous worksite or equipment; or
• You were asked to work in an unsafe manner or environment without any protections.

Reporting unsafe workplace practices saves lives

Whether you are a member of the public or a worker/employee, you can play a part in keeping our workplaces safe.

As a member of the public, report to MOM if you observe unsafe workplace practices. By doing so, you may have prevented an accident and injuries to the workers.

If you are a worker/employee, report to your supervisor, management if you observe unsafe workplace practices or were asked to work in an unsafe manner or environment without any protections. By doing so, you are helping to create a safer workplace for both you and your co-workers.

If you are a union member, you can also report to your union. If need be, you can also report to MOM.

How to report to MOM

To report to MOM, you can simply submit your report via SnapSAFE by providing the following information.

• Photos of the unsafe practice or situation
• Description of what you spotted
• Location where you spotted it
• Name of company involved (if available)
• Date and time when you spotted it

MOM carefully assesses every report and will take the appropriate follow-up actions which may include fines, warnings or advisory depending on the severity of the safety lapses. However, we will not be able to disclose our regulatory actions to external parties.

Your identity will be kept confidential

We understand the importance of protecting your privacy, and we will not disclose your identity to the company or employer involved.

We will use the information you provided to us for our investigation. We may contact you for clarification if necessary.

Guides and resources

The theme for the National Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Campaign 2023 is “Reporting Saves Lives”. We want to empower members of public and workers to make a difference to the safety and health for our workers.

The WSH Council has produced a series of collaterals to educate workers and members of the public on the importance of reporting. For more information on the campaign and to view the collaterals, visit www.taketimetotakecare.sg.

WSHC Ladder and Roofworks Safety Pack

Release of SME WSH Packs on Ladder Safety and Roofworks Safety

Falls from height have consistently been one of the top causes of workplace fatalities; they contribute to more than a third of total workplace fatalities in Singapore every year.

To support companies, in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in preventing falls from height, the WSH Council has released two more SME WSH Packs focused on working safely at height. These WSH Packs on ladder safety and roofworks safety contain bite-sized guidance materials to help SMEs build better awareness and management of work-at-height risks:

• Ladder Safety Guidebook

• Warning Stickers for Ladder Safety

• Activity-Based Checklists on Working on Rooftops

• Activity-Based Checklists on Working Safely at Heights

• Activity-Based Checklists on Safe Use of Ladders

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Working on Roofs

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Working at Heights

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Safe Use of Ladders

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Reducing Workplace Risks

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Workplace Housekeeping 

Download the SME WSH Pack on Ladder Safety in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Download the SME WSH Pack on Roofworks Safety in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Download the earlier released SME WSH Pack on Slips, Trips and Falls, and the SME WSH Pack on Vehicular Safety

SME WSH Packs on Ladder Safety in English

SMEs engaged in activities involving ladder use can refer to the SME WSH Pack on Ladder Safety for bite-sized guidance materials. The Pack comprises a guidebook, warning stickers, checklists and posters, and is available in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

SME WSH Pack on Roofworks Safety in English

With falls from height contributing to more than a third of total workplace fatalities in Singapore every year, SMEs can build greater awareness and better manage work-at-height risks by referring to SME WSH Pack on Roofworks Safety. The Pack comprises of checklists and posters, and is available in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

MOM Inspection And Audit

MOM steps up inspections and audits of higher-risk worksites for two months

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be increasing inspection and audit activities by 50 per cent over the next two months, and companies with serious breaches will have their management system audited.

The move comes after a nine-month heightened safety period ended on May 31, though some measures were retained and new ones were announced.

Investigations into workplace incidents uncovered a “general lack of ownership and emphasis on workplace safety”. Inspections by the ministry and requests for external audits will be stepped up to sustain the gains made during the heightened safety period and those responsible for breaches will be penalised accordingly, he said.

Beyond the usual enforcement actions such as fines and stop-work orders, companies with serious lapses will be required to conduct an audit of their management system,

WORKPLACE SAFETY MEASURES

The heightened safety period was implemented in September 2022 when workplace fatalities increased. It helped to bring Singapore’s fatality rate below 1 per 100,000 workers, though the major injuries rate worsened.

In May this year, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, said the heightened safety period was not a sustainable approach because it relied on tougher enforcement and penalties.

Instead, the ministry made tweaks such as expanding a demerit points system for workplace health and safety breaches to the manufacturing sector from Oct 1 this year. The system is already in place for the construction sector.

Construction sites where the project value is more than S$5 million (US$3.7 million) will also need to have a video surveillance system from June next year to identify risks, facilitate investigations and deter unsafe behaviour.

Mr Sng said workers and members of the public can report unsafe practices to MOM through SnapSAFE

Slips Trips and Falls WSH Pack

The WSH Council has released its second SME WSH Pack, focused on Slips, Trips and Falls (STFs). 

STFs have consistently been the top cause for major and minor workplace injuries. STFs can happen when there is a lack of safety measures, such as failure to install non-slip flooring or not having workers adorn proper personal protective equipment. 

This SME WSH Pack, which comprises bite-sized guidance materials, will help companies reduce STF risks at their workplace and provide workers with a safer work environment. It consists of:

• 6 Basic WSH Rules to Prevent STF

• Activity-Based Checklist on STF

• STF Signages

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Reducing Workplace Risks

• 6 Basic WSH Rules for Workplace Housekeeping

Download the SME WSH Pack on STF in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

This SME WSH Pack on STF follows the first SME WSH Pack on Vehicular Safety, released last month.  Look out for more SME WSH Packs on ladder safety and roofworks safety in the coming month.

To better support SMEs in their WSH journey, the WSH Council has launched its newly-revised START Guide for SMEs. It contains a simple five-step approach to help SMEs make their workplace safe and healthy for their employees.

Download the revised START Guide for SMEs in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Fire Cases in Singapore 2023

SINGAPORE: There were more fires involving personal mobility devices (PMDs) and power-assisted bicycles (PABs) or e-bikes in the first half of 2023 compared with the same period last year, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

According to mid-year statistics released on Tuesday (Aug 22), SCDF said there were 27 such fires in the first half of the year - a 22.7 per cent increase from 22 in the first half of 2022.

Eighteen of those cases involved PABs – a 28.5 per cent increase from 14 cases in the first half of 2022 – while another nine cases involved PMDs, a 12.5 per cent rise from eight in the same period the year before.

SCDF advised users not to leave batteries or devices to charge unattended for an extended period of time or overnight, and not to charge them immediately after use. It also urged users not to tamper, modify or attempt to repair their devices, as well as to avoid buying PMDs without the UL2272 certification mark.

PABs must also have the EN15194 certification and affixed with the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) orange seal of approval.

COOKING-RELATED FIRES

SCDF also said that it responded to 967 fire calls in the first half of 2023 – a 5.3 per cent increase – compared with the same period last year. 

“This was largely due to an increase in fires at non-building premises, particularly those involving items discarded at open spaces,” it added. 

Of these, 493 took place in private and public residential premises, an increase of 2.7 per cent from the same period in 2022.

Fires involving cooking activities were the leading cause of fires in residential premises, accounting for 205 cases or 41.6 per cent. 

This was followed by fires caused by electrical origin – or those involving faulty wirings and electrical appliances which ignite nearby combustible materials – with 131 cases.

SCDF also said it responded to 122,269 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls in the first half of 2023, a 4.8 per cent decrease from the same period last year.

Non-emergency calls saw a drop of 9.8 per cent to 5,203, as compared with 5,769 in the same period last year, while false alarm calls increased by 0.1 per cent.

SCDF also issued a reminder to the public on ways to prevent fires caused by PMDs or power assisted bicycles (PABs).

PMDs refer to wheeled, motorised gadgets like electric scooters or hoverboards, while PABs refer to bicycles equipped with battery-powered motors.

Here are some fire safety tips provided by SCDF:

• Don't charge batteries for an extended period of time, or overnight
• Don't buy or use non-original batteries
• Don't charge a PMD or PAB near combustible materials or near an escape path
• Do regularly check batteries for any damage or deformities

Safety Case Refresher Workshop

SCIC Safety Case Refresher Workshop (Instructor led eLearning)

This 1-day training course will cover the most important aspects of Safety Case in Singapore.

Participants should expect to receive an update on the new Safety Case guidelines published by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), key findings from MHD’s review of the first round of Safety Case submissions (2017 – present) and a summary of the most important Implementation Plan items issued to MHIs that require addressing in the second round of Safety Case submissions.

In addition, this course will provide further information on how to implement these new guidelines to help participants prepare their MHI for the next round of Safety Case submissions

The training course will cover the following topics:

Session 1 – Guidelines for single scenario risk targets and ALARP demonstration

MOM has published new guidelines focusing on the adequacy of preventive and mitigation barriers, to assist MHIs demonstrate that the risks of their identified scenarios are reduced to ALARP.

In this session we will walk through those new guidelines and specifically cover the use of the single scenario risk target, accepted practices for assessing risks and developing a sound ALARP demonstration.

Session 2 – Human Factors

MOM has published new guidelines on Managing Human Factors in Major Hazard Installations to provide guidance to MHIs on Human Factor elements outlined in Appendix 5B of the Safety Case Technical Guide.

In this session we will cover the process for integrating human factors into the risk assessment process, so that risks are reduced to ALARP. We will outline how to approach the practical implementation of Human Reliability Analysis (HRAs) for both operational and maintenance activities.

Sessions 3 & 4 – Key findings from MHD review of safety cases in the period 2017 – present

Since implementing the Safety Case regime in September 2017, key findings from Intervention Plan (IP) items issued to MHIs by MHD can be summarised in three focus areas:

a) Process Safety,

b) Electrical, Controls & Instrumentation, and

c) Mechanical.

In these sessions, each of the key findings will be covered in detail to highlight how to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of protective measures that have been put in place on the MHI.

For process safety we will cover:

• Demonstrating adequacy and sufficiency of pressure relief; and

• Demonstrating the basis of safety for reactors and safety of reaction chemistry.

For Electrical, Control & Instrumentation we will cover:

Demonstrating how necessary instrumented safety functions are identified and the required integrity level is determined;

• Demonstrating the management of functional safety system is in accordance with current relevant good practice; and

• Demonstrating the adequacy of the maintenance regime for safety critical EC&I systems to prevent major accidents or reduce the loss of containment in event of such accidents.

For Mechanical we will cover:

• Demonstrating that an appropriate maintenance regime is established for plant and systems to prevent major accidents or reduce the LOC in the event of such accidents; and

• Demonstrating that systems are in place to ensure that safety critical equipment and systems are examined at appropriate intervals by a competent person.

Who Should Attend

MHI personnel who have completed the 4-days Safety Case Practitioner Training course and wishes to update their knowledge on the new guidelines.

MHIs involved in revising a Safety Case for re-submission or second-round submission.

MHI Leadership team members who want to understand the key areas of focus for MHD.

HSE, Process Safety, Risk Assessment, Process Engineers, EC&I Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Maintenance personnel, Operations personnel working on a Major Hazard Installation.

Note: The Safety Case Practitioners Workshop is only open to personnel from MHIs

Administrative Details

Date: 28 September 2023, Thursday

Time: 9 am to 5 pm (Registration will commence at 8.30 am)

Venue: Zoom

*The web link will be provided later*

How to Register

Registration Fee (inclusive of GST):

SCIC Member: $432 per participant

Non-member: $594 per participant

** Fee is inclusive of the e-copy materials for the 1-days training.

Participants are required to complete the online registration form via www.scic.sg. Upon confirmation of your registration and payment, a unique login will be provided to the participant via email.

Should you require further assistance, please contact the SCIC Secretariat office at 6267 8891 or email us at secretariat1@scic.sg.

Note: Registration would be on a first-come-first-serve basis

Fire -Certificate SCDF

Fire-Certificate-SCDF

Under the Fire Safety Act Section 35, the owner or occupier of any public buildings such as offices, hospitals, shopping complexes, industrial buildings and private residential buildings that fall within the following criteria is required to apply and obtain a Fire Certificate-

Criteria

The FC Scheme ensures the proper maintenance and good working condition of fire safety systems. These systems should be tested in accordance with the relevant codes of practice.

The Section 35 of the Fire Safety Act 1993 contains the following definitions:

Public Building1 (except for a residential building) that has an occupant load of more than 200 persons, other than a serviced apartment with external corridors that comply with the requirements specified in Chapter 2 of the Fire Code;

• a standalone carpark that complies with the requirements specified in Chapter 2 of the Fire Code; and
• a hawker centre or wet market that is not fully enclosed on all sides. 

An industrial building that

• Has an occupant load of 1,000 persons or more;
• Has a floor area of site area2 of 5,000 square metres or more; or
• Has a habitable height of more than 24 metres.

A foreign dormitory that

• Has an occupant load of 1,000 persons or more;
• Has a floor area of site area2 of 5,000 square metres or more; or
• Has a habitable height of more than 24 metres.

A hospital

A residential building that

• Has a habitable height of more than 24 metres;

Is installed with

• An automatic fire alarm system;
• A sprinkler system; or
• A wet riser system; and

Is not used or intended to be used as an HDB flat

An engineered timber building (except a building that is used or intended to be used as an HDB flat) that is installed with any of the following:

• An automatic fire alarm system;
• An automatic sprinkler system;
• An automatic smoke control system;

Any other automatic fire detection or suppression system intended to detect or control a fire automatically.

A fully automated mechanized car park that is installed with a fire protection system and meets any of the following conditions:

The total floor area of the car parking decks in the fully automated mechanized car park is more than 200 square metres;

The cubical extent of the fully automated mechanized car park (calculated in the manner prescribed in Chapter 9 of the Fire Code) is more than 1,400 cubic metres;

The parking height of the fully automated mechanized car park above ground (measured in the manner prescribed in Chapter 9 of the Fire Code) is more than 10 metres;

Where any part of the parking levels is below ground, the total parking height of the fully automated mechanized car park (measured in the manner prescribed in Chapter 9 of the Fire Code) is more than 14 metres;

There are more than 2 parking levels below ground.

1 "Public Building" means a building to which the public or a section of the public has access as of right, or by virtue of express or implied permission with or without payment of a fee.

2 Refers to the statistical gross floor area within the same development/premises.

Application

Application for the issue of FC must be made within twelve (12) months after the date on which the certificate of statutory completion or temporary occupation permit is issued, whichever is earlier. 

For new FC applications, owners or occupiers are required to first complete and email the “Information on Fire Certificate” form to SCDF. 

For premises which are renewing their FC, applications shall be made at least two months before the expiry of the existing FC.

Fire Certificate (FC) applications shall be made via GoBusiness Portal from 14 Auguest 2023.

Here is the quick infogude

Incident Sharing Of IBC Flash Fire

INCIDENT SHARING – FLASH FIRES INVOLVING INTERMEDIATE BULK CONTAINERS

CASE ONE: FLASH FIRE DURING TRANSFER OF FLAMMABLE LIQUID

A worker was using a flexible metallic hose to transfer flammable liquid into a plastic Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC), when a flash fire broke out at the top. The fire spread to the floor and subsequently into the drains, causing large drain fires around the workplace.

Electrostatic discharge, or the release of static electricity buildup, is believed to have ignited the flammable vapours which had accumulated at the top of the IBC during the liquid transfer process.

Further investigations revealed that the plastic IBC used by the company was not suitable for handling flammable liquids as it could not dissipate the electrostatic charges generated during the liquid transfer process.

CASE TWO: FLASH FIRE WHILE CLEANING AN IBC

A worker was cleaning an IBC using flammable solvent and a high-pressure water spray when a flash fire occurred, causing burn injuries on the worker.

In general, when working with an IBC and a flammable substance, you should:

• Be familiar with the hazards posed by the flammable substance;

• Be aware that plastic IBCs cannot dissipate the electrostatic charges that may be generated and thus should eliminate the use of the flammable substance where possible e.g., by replacing it with a non-flammable substance;

• Work in an area away from heat and ignition sources;

• Work in well-ventilated area or under a local exhaust ventilation system that can remove flammable vapours effectively;

• Equip yourself with a personal flammable gas detector;

• Wear suitable personal protection equipment such as a face shield, fire-retardant coveralls,respirator, gloves, and safety boots, to protect yourself against fire and contact with the flammable substance; and

• Be familiar with the emergency procedures, including firefighting procedure, and escape routes.

For transfer of flammable liquid, it is important to:

• Confirm with your supervisor that a suitable container (for example metal IBC) will be used for transferring the flammable liquid before you proceed with the work;

• Use only conductive hoses for transferring flammable liquids;

• Ground and bond all conductive components, the source container as well as the hose before transferring the flammable liquid;

• Ensure that firefighting equipment are readily available around the vicinity where flammable liquid transfers are being carried out;

• Ensure that warning labels on the IBC, such as GHS labels, are clearly visible. Report any missing, damaged, or difficult-to-read labels; and

• Be trained on spill clean-up procedures and clean up any spill immediately.

Vascular Dementia Health Risk

Introduction

Vascular dementia is one of the most common forms of dementia in Singapore, however, it is not a normal part of ageing. You can reduce your risks by taking the necessary steps as early as possible. Take charge of your health now by learning more about the actions you can take below!

Don't let Vascular Dementia Take Control of Your Life

Vascular Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. Take necessary steps as early as possible to reduce your risk.

Facts

Did you know that almost half (45.5%) of dementia cases in Singapore are vascular dementia? Hence, let’s take the necessary steps as early as possible to lower your risk of getting vascular dementia.

So, keep reading and let's demystify this disease together.

Facts about Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is a common type of dementia, which is an illness that affects the brain, leading to progressive memory loss, decline in intellectual ability and personality changes. It affects a person’s ability to think, learn and make decisions.

Vascular dementia is caused by reduced supply of blood to the brain due to damaged blood vessels, depriving brain cells of vital oxygen and nutrients.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Other than vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease is another common type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive illness in which the nerve cells of the brain are destroyed and the brain substance shrinks. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood but it’s likely a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.

Are You At Risk of getting Vascular Dementia?

There are many factors that can increase the chances of damage to blood vessels in your brain, which in effect, increase your risk of getting vascular dementia:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Stroke

10 Common Signs of Vascular Dementia:

How can you Reduce Your Risk?

Take control of your health today as the risk of developing vascular dementia and its key contributing factor, chronic diseases, can both be reduced. Adopt a healthy lifestyle with these 5 habits to lower your risk.

Habit 1: Staying physically active

Physical activity improves blood circulation and supports growth of new brain cells.

• Engage in 150 - 300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week.

• Get moving through fun activities. Join our free workouts.

Habit 2: Eating healthily

Have a healthy balanced diet, and avoid food high in fat, sugar, and sodium which increases risk of cardio-pulmonary diseases.

• Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, a quarter with wholegrains and a quarter with protein-rich food such as meat, fish and tofu.

• Get cooking with these delicious and healthy recipes.

Habit 3: Staying mentally active

Learning new things and challenging the brain can increase our mental strength and capabilities. So read, play games, learn a language or pick up a new skill.

Visit your nearest community centre or check out SkillsFuture for interesting courses.

Habit 4: Being socially engaged

Having strong relationships can buffer the effects of stress, stimulate the mind and make you a happier person.

• Keep in touch with family and friends.

Habit 5: Taking control of your health

Manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure and go for regular health checkups.

• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake.

• Learn more about recommended health screening tests and subsidies here.

How To Care For People with Vascular Dementia?

Caring for someone with vascular dementia can be intensive and challenging. To provide the best care for your loved ones, you have to start by looking after yourself. Having a good support system makes a big difference too.

Here are some quick tips on being a better caregiver:

• Know the progression of the disease to manage the symptoms
• Take up a training course for dementia care
• Join a caregiver support group
• Be aware of your needs and ask for help

To learn more check out Healthhub - Let’s talk about Vascular Dementia