‘Deeper reforms’ to come for workplace safety and health; extra measures in extended heightened safety period

SINGAPORE is considering “deeper reforms” for workplace safety and health (WSH) standards and practices, both broad-based and at the sectoral level, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said on Wednesday (Mar 1).

This is being considered by the multi-agency workplace safety taskforce, with measures to be announced “when ready”, he said during the Manpower Ministry’s (MOM) Committee of Supply debate.

The taskforce was formed as part of the heightened safety period (HSP) that began last September. Originally meant to end on Feb 28, the HSP has been extended another three months, till May 31.

The extended HSP includes additional measures to “strengthen WSH ownership among company leaders”, noted Zaqy.

For companies found to have serious WSH lapses after a serious workplace incident, their chief executive officer (CEO) or board of directors must attend a half-day in-person training course on WSH.

This is on top of such CEOs already having to “personally account to MOM and take responsibility for rectifications”.

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The maximum fine for breaching relevant rules has also been raised to S$50,000, from S$20,000 previously.

While the HSP “was a useful wake-up call to all employers and workers to be extra vigilant”, it cannot continue indefinitely, Zaqy added.

Instead, WSH standards and practices must be strengthened “in a sustainable manner for the long term” – which is what the upcoming reforms aim to do.

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Separately, a campaign will be launched to “encourage and empower workers to speak up on WSH concerns”, as well as raise awareness of the protections for workers who whistle-blow.