In Singapore, the primary legislation governing health and safety is the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act. This act outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders including employers, employees, suppliers, and others. Additionally, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Regulations provide detailed specifications and technical standards for implementing the requirements outlined in the WSH Act.

Responsibilities Under the WSH Framework

Employers are required to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure a safe workplace. This includes conducting risk assessments to identify and control hazards, providing information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure employee safety, and establishing and complying with a workplace safety and health management system.

Employees, on the other hand, are expected to cooperate with the employer on safety and health matters, take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others affected by their work activities, and comply with prescribed safety procedures and use provided safety equipment.

Occupiers of a workplace must ensure the workplace, along with its means of access and egress, are safe and without health risks. Designers, manufacturers, and suppliers are also responsible for ensuring products designed, manufactured, or supplied for use in a workplace are safe and pose no health risks.

Key Areas Covered by the WSH Act

The WSH Act covers a wide range of areas including general workplace safety, work at heights prevention, construction safety, traffic management, noise control, ergonomics, hazardous substances, and major hazard installations.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is responsible for enforcing WSH regulations through inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions. Penalties for non-compliance can range from on-the-spot composition fines for minor violations, stop-work orders for situations of imminent danger, to prosecution in court for significant breaches, which can result in substantial fines and potential imprisonment.

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a critical aspect of any workplace. It involves the implementation of measures and procedures to ensure the safety and health of employees. The following are some of the key areas of focus in OHS.

Risk Assessment and Management

Employers are required to conduct systematic and regular risk assessments to identify all workplace hazards. A written plan must be in place to eliminate or control these risks.

Safe Work Procedures (SWP)

For tasks with significant risks, employers must develop and implement detailed SWPs. These procedures provide step-by-step instructions and outline the necessary safety measures.

Fall Prevention

Preventing falls from height is a significant aspect of workplace safety. Measures include the use of guardrails, safety nets, harnesses, and worker training.

Lifting and Material Handling

Safe practices for manual lifting and handling loads are mandated to minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The use of mechanical aids and adherence to ergonomic guidelines are emphasized.

Confined Spaces

Working in confined spaces has specific standards, including air quality checks, permits, rescue plans, and specialized training.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevention

In noisy workplaces, employers must implement a hearing conservation program. This includes noise monitoring, engineering controls, hearing protection devices (HPDs), and annual audiometric testing.

Chemical Safety

Employers handling hazardous chemicals are required to implement a Chemical Management Plan. This includes hazard identification, labeling, safe storage, safety data sheets (SDS), and worker training.

Occupational Diseases

Employers are responsible for preventing occupational diseases through exposure control, health surveillance, and record-keeping.

Workplace Health Promotion

A holistic approach to OHS is promoted, including programs to address ergonomic risks, mental well-being, and chronic disease prevention in the workplace.

Industry-Specific Standards

Certain industries, such as construction and those handling significant quantities of dangerous substances, have detailed regulations due to the inherent risks.

Enforcement and Compliance

The Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) plays a leading role in shaping OHS policy, developing guidelines, and promoting awareness. Regular workplace inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with OHS regulations. The BizSAFE Program is designed to assist businesses in developing their workplace safety and health capabilities.

Workplace inspections play a crucial role in enforcing compliance, uncovering hazards, educating and raising awareness, and fostering a safety culture. They are a critical tool used to enforce adherence to safety and health regulations. Inspections help identify potential safety and health hazards before they result in injuries or incidents. They also provide opportunities to educate employers and workers on best practices and create greater awareness of workplace safety and health requirements. Regular inspections and potential consequences for non-compliance act as a deterrent, encouraging a stronger safety culture within organizations.

Types of Inspections

There are several types of inspections:

• Routine Inspections: These are planned inspections targeting industries with higher risks or workplaces with a history of safety lapses.
• Complaint-Based Inspections: Investigations into specific complaints raised by workers, trade unions, or members of the public regarding potential safety violations.
• Incident Investigations: In-depth investigations conducted to identify root causes and prevent similar occurrences in the event of a workplace accident or incident.

Inspection Criteria

Inspectors use a comprehensive assessment framework during workplace inspections. Some key focus areas include:

• Compliance with safety and health regulations
• Risk assessments
• Safe work procedures
• Machinery safety
• Fall prevention measures
• Ergonomics
• Chemical management
• Emergency preparedness

Inspection Procedures

The inspection process typically involves an opening conference, a workplace walkthrough, interviews, a records review, and a closing conference.

Follow-Up Actions

Depending on the findings of the inspection, follow-up actions may include a Notice of Non-Compliance (NNC), composition fines, a Stop-Work Order, or prosecution.

Workplace accidents are a serious concern and require immediate attention. Employers and other responsible parties are obligated to report various types of workplace accidents. These include fatal accidents, dangerous occurrences, major injury accidents, and occupational diseases. The reporting procedure is typically done online through a specific system.

Workplace Accident Investigation

Investigations into serious workplace accidents are carried out by a designated authority. The primary objectives of these investigations are to identify the root causes of the accident and recommend corrective actions to prevent similar incidents in the future. Employers have certain responsibilities during these investigations. They must preserve the accident scene to the extent possible, cooperate with the investigation by providing necessary information and witnesses, and implement corrective actions to address issues raised and put preventive measures in place.

Compensation Claims

Injured workers or their families may be entitled to compensation in the event of workplace accidents. The types of compensation include medical leave wages, medical expenses, lump sum compensation for permanent incapacity, and lump sum compensation for death.

The claim procedure involves notifying the employer about the injury, undergoing a medical assessment arranged by the employer, and filing a claim. If the claim is accepted, the employer's insurer will provide compensation according to the relevant regulations. It's important to note that compensation is generally provided on a no-fault basis, meaning an eligible injured worker will likely receive compensation regardless of who was at fault for the accident.