Online Criminal Harms Act

Singapore to introduce Online Criminal Harms Act amid ‘growing international consensus’ for such laws: MHA

The proposed Online Criminal Harms Act is aimed at closing the gaps left by the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act as well as the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act.

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will table new legislation later this year to better tackle crimes committed in cyberspace, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo in Parliament on Monday (Feb 27).

If passed by Parliament, the proposed Online Criminal Harms Act will grant the Government powers to stop or remove online communications that pave the way for crimes in the physical world, such as inciting violence.

The Act is aimed at closing the gaps left by the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, which came into force in 2019, as well as the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act that was passed in Parliament in 2021.

Mrs Teo, who was speaking during the Committee of Supply debates, further noted that the Broadcasting Act was recently amended to “deal with harms that impact user safety, such as cyberbullying and content likely to undermine racial and religious harmony”.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority is now able to deal with harmful online content accessible to Singapore users, regardless of where the content is hosted or initiated.

The Government can also block access to egregious content on online communications services, including social media platforms, Mrs Teo said.

“But there remain gaps. There is online content which are criminal in their own right, or content which facilitate or abet such crimes,” she added.

These crimes include syndicated ones like scams, online incitement of mass public disorder, and malicious cyber activities such as phishing and the distribution of malware.

“We have been monitoring these developments closely and intend to update our suite of legislation to better protect our people,” Mrs Teo told the House.

She pointed out that online harms are “constantly evolving and take different forms” such as falsehoods, foreign interference and inappropriate sexual abuse material, while mediums are also exploited to incite violence, carry out scams at scale and for drug trafficking.

She added that there has been “growing international consensus for rules to combat online harm”, with the United Kingdom, the European Union, Germany and Australia having introduced or proposed new laws to regulate the online space.

MHA first said during the Committee of Supply debates in 2021 that it was studying potential levers to deal with criminal offences committed online.

WHAT THE ACT WILL ENTAIL

Mrs Teo said the proposed Online Criminal Harms Act will build on current laws in three ways.

It will first “expand the scope of regulatory levers that we can apply to online criminal activities”. This includes powers to stop or remove online communications that facilitate crimes in the physical world, such as inciting violence, she added.

The proposed Act will also increase the scope of entities that the Government can act against, including all mediums of online communication through which criminal activities could be conducted.

Finally, the new legislation will introduce levers that deal more effectively with the nature of online criminal harms, said Mrs Teo.

“The new legislation will introduce upstream measures to detect and reduce them, such as safeguards against inauthentic accounts. This legislation will also apply to other malicious cyber activities like phishing,” she added.

She did not elaborate on when MHA will table the new legislation.

Mrs Teo said that the Government earns the public's trust by "enforcing laws in a fair and transparent manner, and by consistently delivering good safety and security outcomes".

"In the online space, the Government does not set out to dictate or curtail the adoption of technology or use of online platforms," she added.

"However, we have a duty to protect our citizens from online harms – the same way we deal with threats in the physical domain."

WSH Alert -Harbour Pilot Died OverBoard

  

2023 5th Workplace Accident
Harbour pilot dies after falling overboard

On 11 February 2023 at about 3 am, a harbour pilot was crossing over from a tugboat to a launch boat when he fell overboard. His body was recovered by rescue divers later the same morning. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the pilot was wearing a life jacket and the sea was choppy at the time of the accident.

Transfers between vessels at sea expose workers to the risk of falling into water. Another accident where a worker fell into the sea while boarding a service boat occurred on 17 May 2022. The WSH Council calls on all maritime stakeholders performing similar activities to undertake an urgent assessment of their safety measures.

What companies should do

Companies should urgently assess and ensure that their WSH management system includes the following measures or checks:

• Safe transfer conditions: Do not proceed with vessel transfer if there are unfavourable weather or sea conditions, extensive vessel or boat movement, if anyone feels unwell, or if it feels unsafe to proceed. For safe boat-to-boat transfer at sea, it is ideal for both boats to be stationary and alongside each other. If stopping is not practical, both boats should be as slow as practicable and kept at the same speed.

• Safe vessel transfer: Establish and implement safe work procedures for transfer between vessels. Identify suitable transfer point(s) and allow transfers only at the designated point(s). Provide secure handholds and/ or footholds at each transfer point. Keep transfer points free of trip hazards and well-lit at night. Board only when the boat-to-boat transfer points are level with each other and under the direction of the launch master.

• Transfer supervision: Deploy workers on both boats to supervise and assist with the transfer, and to activate emergency response and rescue procedures if required.

• Worker competency: All personnel making vessel transfers should be trained on the safe work procedure for transfer.

• Right to decline boarding: Advise workers to stay alert and exercise caution during vessel transfer. Respect the right of workers to say no if the conditions for boarding are unfavourable.

• Emergency response: Equip each boat with life-saving equipment (e.g. life buoy with rope) for use in the event of a man-over-board situation. If a worker falls into the water, there must be a life buoy which he can hold on to so that his head stays above the water until he is rescued.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide workers with the necessary PPE (e.g. life jacket, safety boots, gloves, and safety helmet with chin strap) for transferring between vessels. The life jacket should be a working SOLAS-type approved life jacket or a life jacket meeting ISO 12402 Personal Flotation Device with a performance level 100 or higher. Place all life jackets on a regular inspection and maintenance programme to check their integrity and proper function so that they will work as intended during an emergency.

For more information, refer to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Guidelines for Safe Transfer of Persons between Vessels at Anchorages; the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations; and the WSH Council’s Guide to WSH for Service Providers on Safe Working on Ships at Anchorages, and Case Studies for Working In and Around Water.

Video on Safe Boarding of Vessel

Under the WSH Act, first-time corporate offenders may be sentenced to the maximum fine of $500,000 whilst individuals can either be sentenced to the maximum fine of $200,000 and/or an imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. Read more on the WSH Act penalties.

During the extended Heightened Safety Period (1 September 2022 to 31 May 2023), the Ministry of Manpower will impose severe actions for serious WSH lapses, which include:

• Debarment from hiring new work pass holders.

• Company leaders to personally account to MOM and take responsibility for rectifications, and attend a mandatory half-day in-person WSH training course.

• Engaging external auditors to conduct a thorough review of company’s WSH processes.

* Information on the accident is based on preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Manpower as at 14 February 2023. This may be subject to change as investigations are still on-going. Please also note that the recommendations provided here are not exhaustive and they are meant to enhance workplace safety and health so that a recurrence may be prevented. The information and recommendations provided are not to be construed as implying liability on any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations under the law.

Chemical Standard Exchange -Revised SS 586

 

Chemical Standards Exchange - "Safeguarding our workers and workplaces" and sharing of revised SS 586 Part 2 and 3

The Chemical Standards Exchange is an annual flagship seminar organised by the Chemical Standards Committee (CSC) to highlight the importance of Singapore Standards in promoting health, safety, environment, and sustainability in the chemical industry.

As the theme for 2022 focuses on health and safety, this exchange will showcase the revised Singapore Standard SS 586 : 2022 on Part 2 “Globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals – Singapore’s adaptations”, and Part 3 “ Preparation of safety data sheets (SDS)”, compared to the previous edition published in 2014 and 2008, respectively.

Highlights of the revised standard will be presented by the experts of the working group (WG) who were involved in the document’s development.

Other safety related standards under the care of CSC, will also be presented to briefly demonstrate how these documents can be used by the industry.

Event details:

Date         :       7 Mar 2023 (Tuesday)

Time         :       2.00pm to 5.00pm (Registration starts at 1.30pm)

Venue       :      Amara Singapore

                         Level 3 Ballroom

                         165 Tanjong Pagar Rd

                         Singapore 088539

Who should attend: Chemical manufacturers, importers, suppliers, users, testing laboratories and supply chain service providers, relevant government agencies, academia and research institutions.

How to register:

To register, interested participants will need to purchase a copy of SS 586 – 2 : 2022 or SS 586 – 3 : 2022  (at a 20% discounted price of $ 23.00 and $56.60 (excl. GST) respectively) from Toppan Leefung Pte Ltd (click here for SS 586-2 and here for SS 688-3) or via the QR codes below:

Click here, for the event registration after purchasing SS 586-2 or SS 586-3. Please note that, for each purchase of the standards, the organisation can send one representative to attend the physical event.

For enquiries on the purchase of standards, please contact Mr Rahman Daud from Toppan Leefung Pte Ltd at rahmandaud@toppanleefung.com.

Please note that seats are limited and would be on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Registration deadline: 1 Mar 2023

Programme in brief:

• Overview of Chemical Standards Committee
• The important role of standards in enabling safety in our workplaces
• Practices in the safe storage of flammable liquids (SS 532)
• Overview of revised SS 586 Part 2 and 3
• Highlights of key changes made to SS 586 Part 2 and Part 3
• Industry practices in adopting the change in SS 586
• Panel discussion on SS 586 Part 2 and 3

WSH Alert -Toppled Glass Struck Workers

 

Workers struck by toppled glass doors

On 2 February 2023, a group of workers was unpacking glass doors from a shipping container when nine of the doors (each weighing about 120 kg) toppled and struck two of the workers. One worker died of his injuries while the other had to be hospitalised.  

Preliminary investigations revealed that the glass doors were being unpacked from the shipping container without any form of support or restraint.

Figure 1: Shipping container with the glass doors before unpacking.

Figure 2: Position of the toppled glass doors after the accident.

Transportation of heavy material not secured in a stable position, such as glass panels stacked vertically, poses a high risk of the material toppling onto workers. The WSH Council calls on all companies handling heavy materials, including glass panels, to undertake an urgent assessment of their safety measures.

What companies should do

Companies should urgently assess and ensure that their WSH management system includes the following measures or checks:

• Container packing plan: Request from the supplier a detailed packing plan which provides information on the contents of the shipping container such as the cargo inventory list, the weight of each cargo item, arrangement of cargo within the container, and how each item has been secured. If feasible, ask suppliers to pack the cargo in a stable or secured way, such that they will not topple during unpacking. 

• Safe unpacking method: Obtain from the supplier the instructions for safe container unpacking. The unpacking method depends on how the cargo was packed. The following are two recommended packing/ unpacking methods:

1. Bundling cargo into a crate or case within the container. The crate or case may then be moved in or out of the container using a purpose-built overhead travelling crane and/ or forklift with telescopic handlers.

2. In the case of glass panels, strap them onto palletised A-frame racks which can be moved in or out of the container using pallet jacks and/ or forklifts.

• Secured cargo: If the cargo cannot be bundled into a crate or strapped onto A-frame racks, ensure the cargo is secured in place with mechanical support (e.g. props, braces or frames) and/ or restraint belts attached to the anchor points inside the container. To prevent toppling and facilitate unpacking, remove the supports and restraints one at a time only for the cargo being moved whilst ensuring that the remaining items are still secured.

• Safe Work Procedure (SWP): Establish and implement a SWP for handling heavy cargo with toppling risks. The SWP should include the safe unpacking method, risk controls, safe working positions, and the mechanical handling equipment to be used. Train workers (including contractors and outsourced workers) on the safe unpacking method and provide on-site supervision to ensure the SWPs are closely followed.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide workers with the necessary PPE (e.g. safety helmet, safety shoes, safety eyewear, gloves, high-visibility reflective vest) for the unpacking task.

For more information, refer to SS 663: 2020 Code of Practice for Safe Loading on Vehicles, WSH Council’s Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management, WSH Guidelines on Safe Loading of Vehicles, and SafeWork NSW Australia’s Guide for Unpacking Shipping Containers.

Under the WSH Act, first-time corporate offenders may be sentenced to the maximum fine of $500,000 whilst individuals can either be sentenced to the maximum fine of $200,000 and/or an imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. Read more on the WSH Act penalties.

During the extended Heightened Safety Period (1 September 2022 to 31 May 2023), the Ministry of Manpower will impose severe actions for serious WSH lapses, which include:

• Debarment from hiring new work pass holders.

• Company leaders to personally account to MOM and take responsibility for rectifications, and attend a mandatory half-day in-person WSH training course.

• Engaging external auditors to conduct a thorough review of company’s WSH processes.

Joint Regulatory CWC Control

 

JOINT REGULATORY CONTROL OF SCHEDULED CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC) CHEMICALS

With effect from 21 August 2023, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be co-regulating 47 scheduled CWC chemicals with Singapore Customs.

Existing Regulatory Control of Scheduled CWC Chemicals

2 Singapore Customs, as the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NA(CWC)), will continue to oversee Singapore’s international obligations towards the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). There is no change to the existing Singapore Customs’ licensing regime.

Enhancements to Regulatory Control of Scheduled CWC Chemicals

3 In addition to Singapore Customs’ regulatory requirements, NEA and SCDF will be administering domestic regulatory controls on safety and security by co-regulating the 47 scheduled CWC chemicals as Hazardous Substances (HS) under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and its Regulations, or as Flammable Materials (FM) under the Fire Safety Act (FSA) and its Regulations respectively:

a) NEA will co-regulate 35 of the 47 scheduled CWC chemicals as HS with Singapore Customs. Today, NEA is already co-regulating 9 CWC chemicals2 and will coregulate another 26 CWC chemicals as part of this regulatory change.

b) SCDF will co-regulate the remaining 12 of the 47 scheduled CWC chemicals as FM with Singapore Customs.

4 Companies that perform the following activities which exceed the exemption threshold quantities or purities must obtain a licence/permit:

a) Activities involving HS require a HS licence or permit for:

i. Import, export, manufacture, offer for sale, transport, storage and/or use –

Companies will be required to obtain a HS licence. In addition to a HS licence, a HS transport approval will be required for the transportation of HS, subject to the type of HS and its quantity per transportation.

1 The legislative amendments are gazetted by NEA and SCDF on 17 February 2023 and will take effect on 21 August 2023, factoring a 6-month transition period for the industry to prepare and comply with the regulatory changes.

2 The 9 chemicals that NEA is currently co-regulating with Singapore Customs are (1) Amiton, (2)Arsenic trichloride, (3) Phosgene, (4) Cyanogen chloride, (5) Hydrogen cyanide, (6) Chloropicrin, (7) Phosphorus oxychloride, (8) Phosphorus trichloride, and (9) Phosphorus pentachloride.

ii. Purchase, storage and/or use – Companies will be required to obtain a HS permit.

b) Activities involving FM require a P&FM licence for import, transport, storage or conveyance via pipeline.

5 Please refer to Annex A for details on the co-regulation of the 47 scheduled CWC chemicals, including the respective agencies, exemption criteria for licence/permit application and requirements for road transportation.

6 All HS and FM licence/permit holders will be subject to safety requirements imposed by NEA and SCDF respectively. Facilities storing scheduled CWC chemicals will also be subject to enhanced security requirements under the respective regulatory regimes. Agencies will reach out to the licensees of these facilities and if necessary, arrange for a joint site inspection with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to thoroughly assess the adequacy of existing onsite security measures. The details on the licensing/permit/approval requirements may also be found on the NEA and SCDF websites respectively:

NEA https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pollution-control/chemicalsafety/hazardous-substances

SCDF https://www.scdf.gov.sg/home/fire-safety/petroleum-and-flammablematerial-licences

7 To avoid any potential disruption to business operations, companies dealing with the scheduled CWC chemicals should consider applying for or amending their licences/permits/transport approvals from 1 March 2023 onwards. Applications can be submitted via GoBusiness at https://gobusiness.gov.sg. For SCDF’s import and pipeline licences, applications can be submitted via SCDF E-Services3 at https://eservices1.scdf.gov.sg.

Streamlining of TradeNet Import/Export Permit Declarations for Scheduled CWC Chemicals

8 Companies that are importing/exporting scheduled CWC chemicals shall continue to apply for the TradeNet import/export permit. Agencies will implement product code pairing for TradeNet import and export permit declarations for the jointly controlled chemicals using relevant Harmonised System Codes and Product Codes of Singapore Customs and NEA/SCDF. Detailed changes to the declaration process will be made known to traders and declaring agents in Q2 2023. In the interim, traders and declaring agents may continue to declare the import and export permit applications for these chemicals using existing Singapore Customs’ Product Codes. 

9 Please note that Singapore Customs’ existing trade controls and restrictions4 under the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act and its Regulations remain applicable. From 21 August 2023, TradeNet import/export permit approvals from the co-regulating agencies (i.e.,

Singapore Customs and NEA/SCDF) will be required prior to any import/export of scheduled CWC chemicals.

10 Should you have any enquiries on the regulatory changes involving scheduled CWC chemicals, please contact:

SCDF • Storage Licence (Koh_Wen_Xi@scdf.gov.sg)

• Transport Licence

(Md_Razif_Abd_Rahman@scdf.gov.sg)

• Import Licence (Muhathir_Mohamad@scdf.gov.sg)

• Pipeline Licence (Wong_Weng_Kuin@scdf.gov.sg)

NEA • NEA_PCD_HS@nea.gov.sg

Singapore Customs

• CUSTOMS_NACWC@customs.gov.sg

Healthy 365 Program

 

What is Healthy 365?

Healthy 365 is a mobile application by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) Singapore which aims to encourage users to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Through the use of gamification and rewards, users are encouraged to sign up for in-app challenges and health programmes to earn Healthpoints.

The app seamlessly pairs with fitness tracking devices to help users log their daily steps count and amount of time spent on active exercises. Users can also scan QR codes via the app to earn Healthpoints when they purchase healthier meals, drinks and groceries from participating partners.

By 7 February 2023, all users must perform a one-time Singpass login to continue using the Healthy 365 app. Update your app from 5 January 2023 and follow on-screen instructions. If you do not have a Singpass account, click here to set up one now.

For support, click on the FAQs or step-by-step guides below.

Download the Healthy 365 app today!

Key Features

Fitness journey at a glance featuring user's fitness and rewards information

Health challenges, including the National Steps Challenge and Eat, Drink, Shop Healthy Challenge, for users to sign up to convert their healthier actions into rewards

Events listing featuring exercise classes that users can book via the app

Healthpoints redemption that includes a catalogue of healthy lifestyle rewards for users to choose from

Minimum Mobile Phone PS Requirements

Android Ver. 6

iOS Ver. 10

Supported HPB-Issued Fitness Trackers

AxtroFit

AxtroFit 2

AxtroFit 3

Careeach (HR)

Glide HR

Tempo 2 (HR)

Tempo 3C

Tempo 4C

Supported 3rd Party Fitness Apps

Actxa®

Apple Health

Fitbit

Garmin Connect ™

Polar Flow

Samsung Health

Also check out LumiHealth, a personalised health programme that helps Singapore residents improve their mental well-being, fitness, nutrition, sleep, and more with the LumiHealth app and Apple watch. Click here for more information.

View App FAQ

View App Terms of Use

View Privacy Statement

View step-by-step guide for Healthy 365 app log in and profile update

View step-by-step guide to verify your Healthy 365 account with Singpass - English | Chinese | Malay | Tamil