Workplace Safety, Workplace Health ,WSH Safety Resources Blog: Aerosol Generating System Regulation

Workplace Safety, Workplace Health ,WSH Safety Resources Blog: Aerosol Generating System Regulation: Environmental Public Health (Registrable Aerosol-generating Systems) Regulations 2021 stipulate the requirement of all premises with cooling...

Legislation covering workplace safety and health

 Work Injury Compensation Act

The Work Injury Compensation Act extends work injury compensation to most employees.

Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act

The WSH Act is the key legislation to effect the principles of the new Occupational Safety and Health framework. It replaces the Factories Act, with effect from 1 March 2006.

WSH Act subsidiary legislation

Factories Act subsidiary legislation

Even though the Factories Act has been repealed, under section 66(14) of the WSH Act, “Any subsidiary legislation made under the repealed Act and in force immediately before the appointed day shall, so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, continue in force in factories as if made under this Act until it is revoked or repealed.”

The following Factories subsidiary legislation will be reviewed and promulgated as new Workplace Safety and Health subsidiary legislation.

•Factories (Registration and Other Services - Fees and Forms)

•Factories (Safety Training Courses) Order

WSH Act: liabilities and penalties

WSH Act: liabilities and penalties

Find out the maximum penalties for failing to comply with the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act.

The tables below outline the maximum penalty for failing to comply with the WSH Act:

Not complying with a Remedial Order or Stop Work Order

General penalties
For offences where no penalty is expressly provided in the WSH Act, the penalties are as follows

Note: If the previous offence caused the death of a person, any subsequent offence that causes the death of another person will have a maximum fine that is doubled.

Composition fines

For offences, instead of prosecution in Court, the Commissioner may consider compounding the offence.

Offences may be compounded to a sum not more than half the maximum fine prescribed for the offence or $5,000, whichever is lower.

WSH Act: what is a factory

In accordance with the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act, certain types of workplaces are defined as factories.

Definition of a factory

A factory is any premises in which any of the following is carried out:

.The making of any article or part of any article.

.The alteration, repair, ornamentation, finishing, cleaning or washing of any article.

.Breaking up or demolishing any article.

.Adapting any article for sale.

Examples of factories include manufacturing plants, car-servicing workshops, shipyards and construction work-sites.

What is considered a factory

The following premises are considered to be factories:

.Construction

.Any premises where building operations or any work of engineering construction are carried out.

Manufacturing

Any premises:
.Using an assembly-line manufacturing process to manufacture any goods or products using mechanical power, for the purposes of trade or gain (excludes restaurants or kitchens).

.Used for the manufacturing of fabricated metal products, machinery or equipment, for the purposes of trade or gain.

.Used for the manufacturing of wood products using mechanical power, for the purposes of trade or gain.

.Used for the production of gas for commercial sale.

.Used for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

General

Any premises where:

.Mechanical power is used in connection with making or repairing any article as part of any business carried on for trade or gain.

.Mechanical power is used in connection with sorting, packing, handling or storing articles for trade, gain or as part of another business.

.Articles are made or prepared incidentally to any building operations or any work of engineering construction, not being premises in which such operations or work are being carried out.

.Flammable, corrosive or toxic substances

Any premises:

.Used for the processing or manufacturing of flammable, corrosive or toxic substances, including petroleum, petroleum products, petrochemical or petrochemical products.

.Where the treatment, coating or electroplating of metal products involving the use of flammable, corrosive or toxic substances is carried out.

.Where the washing or filling of bottles, containers or vessels that contain or had contained flammable, corrosive or toxic substances is carried out. This excludes premises where vehicles are filled with fuel as a commercial undertaking.

Printing

Any premises where printing by letter press, offset, lithography, photogravure, rotogravure or other similar process, or the binding of such printed materials, is carried out.

Storage facilities:

Any premises:

.Used for the storage of gas (including liquefied gas) in a container having a storage capacity of not less than 140 cubic metres. This excludes premises where gas is stored for filling vehicles with fuel as a commercial undertaking.

.Used for the bulk storage of toxic or flammable liquid (excluding liquefied gas) in a container, not being an underground container, that has a storage capacity of not less than 5,000 cubic metres.

Shipyards

.Any yard (including any dock, wharf, jetty, quay and the surrounding area) where the construction, reconstruction, repair, refitting, finishing or breaking up of ships is carried out. It includes the waters adjacent to any such yard where the construction, reconstruction, repair, refitting, finishing or breaking up of ships is carried out by or on behalf of the occupier of that yard.

Utilities

.Any premises where work is carried out for generating electrical energy for trade or gain.

.Any premises where mechanical power is used for or in connection with a water supply.

.Any sewage works that use mechanical power and pumping stations.

Vehicle repair

Any premises where the construction, reconstruction or repair of locomotives, aircraft, vehicles or other plant used for transport purposes is carried on as ancillary to a transport undertaking or other industrial or commercial undertaking. This excludes premises used for housing locomotives, aircraft or vehicles where only cleaning, washing, running repairs or minor adjustments are carried out

WSH Act: responsibilities of stakeholders

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act defines the responsibilities for each stakeholder group, such as employers, occupiers, employees and self-employed.

Under the WSH Act, the stakeholders and their responsibilities are as follows:

Employer

As an employer, you must protect the safety and health of your employees or workers working under your direction, as well as persons who may be affected by their work.

You must:

• Conduct risk assessments to identify hazards and implement effective risk control measures.
• Make sure the work environment is safe.
• Make sure adequate safety measures are taken for any machinery, equipment, plant, article or process used at the workplace.
• Develop and implement systems for dealing with emergencies.
• Ensure workers are provided with sufficient instruction, training and supervision so that they can work safely

Principal

A principal is any person or organisation who engages another person or organisation to supply labour or perform work under a contract for service.

As a principal, you must ensure that the contractor you engage:

• Is able to perform the work they are engaged for.
• Has made sure that any machinery, equipment, plant, article or process that is used at work is safe.
• However, if you instruct the contractor or the workers on how the work is to be carried out, your duties will include the duties of an employer.

Occupier

In workplaces registered or notified as a factory, the occupier is the person who holds the certificate of registration. In all other workplaces, the occupier is the person who has control of the premises, regardless of whether they are the owner of those premises.

As an occupier, you must ensure that the following are safe:

• The workplace.
• All pathways to and from the place of work.
• Machinery, equipment, plants, articles and substances.

You must ensure that the above does not pose a risk to anyone within your premises, even if the person is not your employee.

You may also be responsible for the common areas used by your employees and contractors. Common areas include the following:

• Electric generators and motors.
• Hoists and lifts, lifting gears, lifting appliances and lifting machines.
• Entrances and exits.
• Machinery and plants.

Manufacturer or supplier

As a manufacturer or supplier, you must ensure that any machinery and equipment or hazardous substances you provide are safe.

You must:

• Provide information on health hazards and how to safely use the machinery, equipment or hazardous substance.
• Examine and test the machinery, equipment or hazardous substance to ensure that it is safe for use.
• Provide results of any examinations or tests of the machinery, equipment or hazardous substances.

Installer or erector of machinery

• You must ensure that the machinery and equipment that you have erected, installed or modified is safe and without safety or health risks when properly used

Employee

As an employee, you must:

• Follow the workplace safety and health system, safe work procedures or safety rules implemented at the workplace.
• Not engage in any unsafe or negligent act that may endanger yourself or others working around you.
• Use personal protective equipment provided to you to ensure your safety while working. You must not tamper with or misuse the equipment.

Self-employed

• You are required to take measures to ensure the safety and health of anyone in the workplace who may be affected by your work.

WSH Act

 Workplace Safety and Health Act: what it covers

The Workplace Safety and Health Act covers the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in a workplace. It requires stakeholders to take reasonably practicable steps for the safety and health of workers and others affected by work.

What is the Workplace Safety and Health Act

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act is an essential part of a framework to cultivate good safety habits in all individuals, so as to create a strong safety culture in workplaces.

The WSH Act requires stakeholders to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of persons at the workplace.

The three guiding principles of the WSH Act are to:

Reduce risk at the source by requiring all stakeholders to remove or minimise the risk they create.

Encourage industries to adopt greater ownership of safety and health outcomes.

Impose higher penalties for poor safety management and outcomes

Key features

The WSH Act has four key features:

It places responsibilities on stakeholders who have it within their control to ensure safety at the workplace.

It focuses on workplace safety and health systems and outcomes, rather than merely on compliance.

It facilitates effective enforcement through the issuance of remedial orders.

It imposes higher penalties for non-compliance and risky behaviour

What it covers

The WSH Act covers the following:

.All workplaces, unless exempted.

.Responsibilities of stakeholders.

.Hazardous substances.

.Machinery and equipment.

What is a workplace

A workplace is any place where a person carries out work or is to work. Some of these workplaces are further classified as a factory.

Responsibilities of stakeholders 

The WSH Act outlines the responsibilities of stakeholders. They include employers, principals, occupiers, manufacturers or suppliers (including hazardous substances and machinery and equipment), installers or erectors, employees and the self-employed

WSH Guidelines -Fatigue Management

WSH Guidelines -Fatigue Management

What is WSH Guideline 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program .

Check out the free Fatigue Management to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Fatigue Management Scope

This guideline aims to provide industries with relevant information on how to set up a fatigue management programme. It provides basic information to raise awareness of the impact of fatigue on workplace safety and health.

As industries vary in their specific operational context, working environment and services providing the same set of fatigue management policies would not apply uniformly to each industry.

The guideline presents information on the following:

• Factors contributing to fatigue;

• Effects and implications of fatigue on safety and health performance;

• Risk assessment as an approach to fatigue management;

• Good practices for fatigue management;

• Means of fatigue assessment; and

• Fatigue Management Programme.

The guideline serves as a source of reference for employers and employees to develop and establish a fatigue management policy and programme

To download click WSH Guidelines -Fatigue Management

WSH Guidelines-Management of Hazardous Substances

WSH Guidelines-Management of Hazardous Substances

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline --Management of Hazardous Substances to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline --Management of Hazardous Substances Scope

The main objective of the Management of Hazardous Chemicals Programme is to prevent and control chemical hazards at workplace, and safeguard the health and safety of persons against chemical hazards within the plant.

The Management of Hazardous Chemicals Programme enhances chemical safety and prevents chemical-related injuries, illnesses or diseases at the workplace.

A Management of Hazardous Chemicals Programme is required if any hazardous chemical is used or handled at a workplace. Hazardous chemicals can be classified under the following categories:

• Corrosive substances

• Flammable substances

• Explosives

• Oxidising substances

• Pyrophoric substances

• Gases under pressure

• Organic peroxides

• Self-heating substances

• Self-reactive substances

• Substances which when in contact with water, emit flammable gases

• Toxic substances

• Mutagens

• Carcinogens

• Teratogens

• Sensitizers

• Irritants

• Substances hazardous to aquatic environment

To download click WSH Guidelines-Management of Hazardous Substances

WSH Guidelines -Workplace Traffic Safety Management

WSH Guidelines -Workplace Traffic Safety Management

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program .

Check out the free WSH Guidelines -WSH Guidelines -Workplace Traffic Safety Management to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -WSH Guidelines -Workplace Traffic Safety Management Scope

Workplace traffic management is an integral part of operations for many industrial sectors; including but not limited to the construction, marine and logistics industries. If workplace traffic is not managed well, it can lead to damaged vehicles properties as well as fatalities and/or serious injuries in the workplace and public areas.

This set of guidelines highlights potential hazards when vehicles are used on the roads and within workplace premises. The guideline is recommended for companies who own transport1 or goods vehicles such as prime movers, lorries, vans, tipper trucks, dumpers, concrete mixers, and so on. This publication also recommends good industry practices through the establishment of a traffic management plan.

To download click  WSH Guidelines -Workplace Traffic Safety Management

WSH Guidelines -Workplace Housekeeping

WSH Guidelines -Workplace Housekeeping

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines Workplace Housekeepingto improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Workplace Housekeeping Scope

This guide introduces the 5S concept of housekeeping and how it can be used to enhance WSH and improve workplace efficiency and productivity at the same time. Good housekeeping initiatives support WSH culture-building efforts and can be used to enhance the “Ownership and Teamwork” attribute of the WSH CultureSAFE Mode

To download click WSH Guidelines -Workplace Housekeeping

WSH Guidelines -Improving Ergonomics in the Workplace

WSH Guidelines -Improving Ergonomics in the Workplace

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines - Improving Ergonomics in the Workplace to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

WSH Guideline -Improving Ergonomics in the Workplace Scope

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the term applied to the field of science that studies and designs human-machine,human-tool, human-work environment and human-human interfaces to prevent injury and illness and improve work performance. It is a multi-disciplinary science drawing on anatomy, biomechanics, anthropometry, physiology, psychology, sociology, physics, engineering and medicine.

Putting in place an ergonomics programme in the workplace helps prevent work-related MSDs and injuries. Timely ergonomics intervention can also help employees with existing MSDs reduce the stresses on their bodies so that they can continue working.

This set of guidelines outlines how to develop an in-house ergonomics programme for a company or organisation to manage ergonomics problems and work-related MSDs at the workplace. Employees and employers can also obtain information on good ergonomics practices and the prevention of work-related injury or illness. In particular, through using this guidelines, workplace, equipment, task or job design can be better matched to the capabilities of the working population, including pregnant employees, older workers or those with functional limitations.

The guidelines will cover the legal requirements relevant to ergonomics in the workplace risk factors of work-related MSDs, how to prevent ergonomics-related injuries and how to implement an ergonomics programme.

To download click WSH Guidelines -Improving Ergonomics in the Workplace

WSH Guideline -Statutory Medical Examinations

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program.

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Statutory Medical Examinations to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website..

WSH Guideline -Statutory Medical Examinations Scope

This set of guidelines would assist Designated Workplace Doctors (DWDs) in the conduct of the medical examinations for workers who are exposed to the following 19 hazards under the Workplace Safety and Health (Medical Examinations) Regulations:

• Arsenic and its compounds

• Asbestos

• Benzene

• Cadmium and its compounds

• Work in a compressed air environment

• Raw Cotton

• Lead and its compounds

• Manganese and its compounds

• Mercury and its compounds

• Noise

• Organophosphates

• Perchloroethylene

• Free Silica

• Tar, Pitch, Bitumen and Creosote

• Trichloroethylene

• Vinyl chloride monomer

Other WSH professionals and management of companies may also find these guidelines useful to understand the rationale for the recommendations made by the DWD

To download click  WSH Guideline -Statutory Medical Examinations

WSH Guidelines- Management of Indoor Air Quality

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Management of Indoor Air Quality to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Introduction

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important subject in our daily life as we spend a substantial amount of our time indoors. Most people spend their working hours in indoor spaces such as offices, factories and other buildings. In Singapore, where the climate is hot and humid, we rely heavily on air conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) system to provide thermal comfort in sealed indoor environments. The subject of IAQ becomes more pertinent since the potential for indoor air contamination is increased. Sources of contamination can include carpets, rugs, laser printers and photocopiers. The air quality in these tightly sealed environments is hence affected by gases (including volatile organic compounds),particulates, and microbial contaminants such as mould and bacteria.

Poor air quality in indoor air-conditioned workplaces can result in potential health and comfort problems for occupants. Some acute health effects associated with poor IAQ include coughs, headaches and eye irritation or connotatively referred to as sick building syndrome. This can then lead to the consequential decline in work productivity when sickness-absenteeism prevails. Good IAQ is therefore essential to ensure the health and wellbeing of all people in indoor environments such as buildings and offices.

Recognising the need for practical guidance in the management of IAQ in buildings and/or workplaces, this set of guidelines was developed. It will also supplement the Singapore Standard SS 554: 2009, Code of Practice for Indoor air quality for air-conditioned buildings,in the effective establishment and on the-ground implementation of the IAQ Management Programme.

This set of guidelines is primarily aimed at building owners or occupiers of workplace who have direct control over the risks associated with poor IAQ, as well as the responsible person who is appointed as the IAQ Manager (e.g., facility manager) for the premises in which he or she owes a duty of care.

To download click WSH Guidelines- Management of Indoor Air Quality

WSH Guidelines- Diagnosis and Management of Occupational Diseases

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline -Diagnosis and Management of Occupational Diseases to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Introduction

Occupational disease (OD) is defined as any disease contracted as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from work activity. Doctors have a legal responsibility to report ODs under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. However, it is often under-reported and goes unrecognised in view of the long latency period and changes in the types of industries, as well as the use of new technologies and materials.

It is important for doctors and the health professionals to recognise occupational and work-related diseases among their patients. Early detection and intervention can prevent or minimise morbidity and disability from these diseases. It can also prevent further deterioration or recurrence and result in the protection for other employees who may be exposed to similar risks. In addition, ODs are compensable under the Work Injury Compensation Act which covers all employees.

The objective of this guide is to provide doctors with a quick and easy reference for the diagnosis and management of work-related conditions. The photographs of common work processes in Appendix A will be useful when taking occupational history and identifiying possible exposures associated with certain specific diseases. The illustrations on personal protective equipment in Appendix B may be helpful for patient education. There is also a step-by-step guide on how to report OD to the Ministry of Manpower and a list of clinics where you can refer suspected cases for further investigation and management

To download click WSH Guidelines- Diagnosis and Management of Occupational Diseases

WSH Guidelines- WSH Healthcare

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guideline - WSH Healthcare to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Introduction

The healthcare industry in Singapore is growing and adapting to new challenges in order to meet the growing healthcare demand. Due to heightened awareness of quality healthcare services, a rapidly greying population, longer life expectancy and greater economic growth, the healthcare industry will need to review its work processes and ensure that the lives of their employees and patients are safe and healthy.

Healthcare employees are as vulnerable to workplace safety and health (WSH) hazards as any other employee. A safe and healthy work environment can boost the wellbeing, morale and productivity of these employees. Poor WSH practices can contribute to illness, absenteeism, productivity loss, disability and even death. The WSH Act covers all workplaces including healthcare facilities, and all stakeholders must take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of every individual.

Recognising that healthcare employees are exposed to a wide array of work-related safety and health risks, this set of guidelines was developed in 2008 and subsequently revised in July 2015 to provide useful guidance on the proper management of WSH risks in healthcare facilities. This second issue of the guidelines highlight information on potential common hazards faced by healthcare employees as well as good industry WSH practices to prevent and control these hazards. The guidelines is applicable to various public healthcare clusters, private hospitals, community hospitals, private general practitioner (GP) clinics, nursing homes, Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics and veterinary clinics.

To download click WSH Guidelines- WSH Healthcare

WSH Guidelines -Cleaning and Custodial Services

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines --Cleaning and Custodial Services to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Introduction

The cleaning and custodial services industry plays a crucial role in maintaining sanitary standards. Activities that employees carry out on a daily basis include sweeping, mopping, washing, and collecting and disposing refuse. During the course of their work, employees are exposed to numerous occupational hazards such as; chemicals, loud noises, sharp objects, slippery surfaces, and poor work postures.

The nature of their work also exposes them to the potential of falling from heights, as well as sustaining injuries such as cuts, electrocution, burns and crush by objects. We should also look out for our older workers who may be more prone to risks that are a result of aging; such as reduced flexibility and physical strength, declining eyesight and hearing and chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Employers need to recognise that all hazards can be appropriately and effectively managed and thus avoid all injury and ill-health. Besides employers, employees can also play their part to strive toward zero harm in their daily work. This guideline serves as a resource for all, providing guidance in identifying work hazards and sharing advice on plausible preventive measures.

To download click WSH Guidelines -Cleaning and Custodial Services

WSH Guidelines -Tent Related Works

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines -Tent Related Works to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Scope

This publication specifies the recommended practices for both traditional and engineered tent-related works. Key work activities include, but are not limited to, warehouse storage, transportation of materials, erecting and dismantling of tent structures and handling of electrical installations.

This publication also aims to raise WSH awareness of stakeholders (e.g., tent service buyers,contractors and workers) in the tent sector.

Additional WSH resources for the tent sector can be found in the Annex:

• Tentage safety checklist (see Annex B)

• Five Golden Safety Rules (see Annex C)

Relevant Legislation

To download click WSH Guidelines -Tent Related Works

WSH Guidelines -Landscape and Horticulture Management

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines -Landscape and Horticulture Management to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Introduction

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act came into effect in March 2006. Under the Act, stakeholders are responsible for managing the risks they create at the workplaces, and taking reasonable practical steps to ensure workers’ safety and health. From September 2011, the WSH Act was extended to cover all workplaces including maintenance works under the landscaping sector for their works involving general cleansing of parks, horticultural work, turf work and tree work.

Workers in the landscaping sector are exposed to hazards such as working alongside moving traffic, working at heights, excessive noise, use of machinery and equipment, contact with insects, use of chemicals and heat stress. The risk of accidents and ill health due to these hazards can result in suffering, sickness, absenteeism, productivity loss, disability or even death. All these can be prevented.

The purpose of this guide is to provide information and guidance on common workplace hazards which workers involved in landscaping maintenance activities may face, and their preventive measures. For ease of reading, the set of guidelines is divided into two parts:

Part A – Work Activities

Part B – Legislative Requirements

All landscape contractors and their supervisors should familiarise themselves with this set of guidelines. It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that workers are healthy and are working in a safe environment. Through better safety and health management, companies can strive towards a goal of zero harm.

To download click WSH Guidelines -Landscape and Horticulture Management

WSH Guidelines -Event Management

What is WSH Guidelines 

WSH Guidelines showcased workplace safety and health best practices and WSH program for controlling workplace hazards and improving occupational health for various industry and program 

Check out the free WSH Guidelines -Event Management to improve your organization WSH practices. For the latest WSH Guidelines update, refer to Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Website.

Introduction

The dynamic and vibrant Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) industry has propelled Singapore into one of the top global convention destinations, and is a significant contributor to the hospitality industry and Singapore’s economy.

Events range widely in scale and complexity, from one-day corporate seminars to public exhibitions and trade fairs that span several days. Events could be held in purpose-built multifunctional halls, or open spaces outdoors .To handle variations more efficiently, event management companies hire contractors to execute different aspects of an event.

This publication helps event organisers and contractors identify work hazards present in various work activities, and suggests preventive measures to manage the associated risks. Employers should always look out for the safety, health and well-being of their employees. Through better safety and health management, companies can strive towards a goal of zero harm.

To download click WSH Guidelines -Event Management

CP Safe Lifting Operations in the Workplaces

As Singapore enhances the importance of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH), the management of lifting activities has been identified as a high risk operation which requires proper planning and execution. This Code of Practice (CP) has been developed to provide guidance on how to conduct such lifting operations safely. It highlights factors that need to be considered during the planning and execution of the operation, and introduces the Lifting Plan as a systematic approach towards planning a lift. The CP also outlines the roles and responsibilities of those who are involved in a lifting operation.

This CP is aimed at practitioners who are involved in lifting operations, particularly those who plan these operations and the supervisors of the personnel in the lifting team.

This CP was produced after extensive analysis of current practice in Singapore. Assembled by specialists in the field, the CP is intended to provide examples of good practices. It is not meant to be prescriptive or imply that there is only one way of doing the task, nor it is intended to replace or take precedence over recommendations, policies and procedures judged as safe as or safer than those given herein.

Individuals and companies shall use the CP as the preferred standard and that they shall continue to find ways to exceed and improve upon the practices detailed within.

There are many modes and methods of conducting a lifting operation. This CP is not intended to cover in detail, but provide guidance on the minimum expectations required during the planning and implementation of a lifting operation. The same principles can be applied to a large 500 tonne or a smaller lifting device. While this CP recognises that companies have adopted their in-house operational procedures, this CP has been developed to provide guidance in conducting safe lifting operations with a foundation in operational expectations and requirements.

Note 1: This CP replaces the Technical Advisory for Safe Operation of Lifting Equipment published by the WSH Council in May 2009.

Note 2: This revision incorporates amendments to Section 3 by moving some of the contents to Section 7.

This includes information on the ownership, usage, development considerations and factors that affect the Lifting Plan.

To download click CP Safe Lifting Operations in the Workplaces