WSH (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011

Under the Workplace Safety and Health (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011, PART II MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF PERSONS

EMPLOYED IN HAZARDOUS OCCUPATIONS

Persons to be medically certified fit for employment

4.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is to be employed in any hazardous occupation described in regulation 3(a) to (e) to ensure that the person shall undergo a pre-placement medical examination by a designated workplace doctor and be certified fit to work in such occupation, not later than 3 months after the date he commences his employment in such occupation.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is to be employed in the hazardous occupation described in regulation 3(f) to ensure that the person shall be medically examined by a designated workplace doctor and certified fit to work in such occupation within 30 days before the date he is to commence his employment in such occupation.

(3)  The medical examination referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) shall —

(a)consist of the examinations and investigations specified in the Schedule and such other examinations or investigations as the Commissioner may require from time to time in any particular case; and

(b)include —

(i)a clinical examination of the person for symptoms and signs of any diseases that may result from exposure to the hazards of the occupation in which the person is employed; and

(ii)an assessment as to whether the person who is to be employed in a hazardous occupation is fit to work in that occupation.

Periodic medical examinations

5.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person employed in any hazardous occupation to ensure that the person shall be periodically examined by a designated workplace doctor.

(2)  The periodic medical examinations referred to in paragraph (1) shall —

(a)consist of the examinations and investigations specified in the Schedule;

(b)include —

(i)a clinical examination of the person for symptoms and signs of any diseases that may result from exposure to the hazards of the occupation in which the person is employed; and

(ii)an assessment as to whether the person who is employed in a hazardous occupation is fit to continue working in that occupation; and

(c)take place at the intervals specified in the Schedule.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commissioner may, in cases where he considers expedient, require any person to be examined at intervals other than or in addition to those specified in the Schedule.

Other medical examinations

6.—(1)  The Commissioner may require any person or category of persons employed in any hazardous occupation to undergo a medical examination other than or in addition to the medical examinations referred to in regulations 4 and 5.

(2) Where a person employed in any hazardous occupation is required to undergo any audiometric examinations under these Regulations, it shall be the duty of the responsible person of that person to ensure that the audiometric examinations shall be carried out by persons who have undergone a course of training in audiometric screening acceptable to the Commissioner (as specified by the Commissioner at the Ministry of Manpower website).

(3) Any responsible person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Medical expenses to be borne by responsible person

7.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is employed or to be employed in any hazardous occupation —

(a)to arrange, at the expense of the responsible person, all medical examinations and investigations that the person employed or to be employed in any hazardous occupation is required to undergo under these Regulations; and

(b)to grant paid leave of absence to that person required to undergo any medical examination or investigation under these Regulations.

(2) It shall be the duty of any person who is required to undergo any medical examination or investigation under these Regulations to ensure that he shall submit himself for such medical examination and investigation.

(3) Any person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Registers of employees in hazardous occupations

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person or persons employed in any hazardous occupation in a workplace to keep registers of such persons.

(2)The responsible person shall ensure that the registers referred to in paragraph (1) are —

(a)kept in such form and manner as may be required by the Commissioner;

(b)updated at all times such as to show at any time, the particulars of all persons who are currently employed in any hazardous occupation in the workplace and all the persons who had or have been employed in the hazardous occupation in the workplace in the last 5 years; and

(c)be produced for inspection upon request by an inspector.

(3) Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Designated workplace doctor to report results of medical examinations to employers

9.—(1) It shall be the duty of the designated workplace doctor to report the results of the medical examination of a person employed in any hazardous occupation in a workplace to the responsible person of that person.

(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted by the designated workplace doctor in a form determined by the Commissioner.

(3) The responsible person of a person employed in any hazardous occupation shall —

(a)keep the report of every medical examination of that person employed in a hazardous occupation for a period of at least 5 years from the date of the medical examination; and

(b)whenever required by the Commissioner within the period referred to in sub-paragraph (a), make available to the Commissioner the report or a summary of the report, as the Commissioner may specify.

(4)Any person who contravenes paragraph (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Designated workplace doctor may recommend suspension from work

10.—(1)  Where a designated workplace doctor, having regard to the results of the medical examination carried out under these Regulations, is satisfied that the health of a person is likely to be or has been injuriously affected by the person’s employment in a hazardous occupation, it shall be the duty of the designated workplace doctor to advise the person that he —

(a)should not continue to be employed in that occupation; or

(b)be suspended from his work in such hazardous occupation temporarily for such period of time, as may be determined by the designated workplace doctor or permanently.

(2) Where the designated workplace doctor advises that a person employed in a hazardous occupation be suspended from employment in such hazardous occupation, it shall be the duty of the designated workplace doctor to —

(a)complete a certificate of suspension in such form and manner as may be determined by the Commissioner; and

(b)give a copy of the certificate of suspension to that person who is to be suspended from employment in a hazardous occupation, the responsible person concerned and the Commissioner.

(3) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of the person named in the certificate of suspension referred to in paragraph (2) to suspend the person from his work in the hazardous occupation.

(4) Any person named in the certificate of suspension referred to in paragraph (2) or the responsible person may, within 14 days from the date of the certificate of suspension, appeal to the Commissioner against it and the Commissioner’s decision shall be final.

Designated workplace doctor may inspect place of work

11.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to provide all facilities to the designated workplace doctor to inspect the premises of the workplace and any process or work in or on which a person being examined by the designated workplace doctor under these Regulations is or is to be employed.

(2)It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person who is employed in any hazardous occupation in a workplace and the occupier of that workplace to provide the designated workplace doctor with all information which is relevant and within their joint knowledge to enable the designated workplace doctor to carry out a proper medical examination of such person under these Regulations.

These are just some of the legal requirement for medical examinations. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSHC (Workplace Safety and Health Committees) Regulations 2008

Workplace Safety and Health (Workplace Safety and Health Committees) Regulations 2008

PART II

FORMATION OF WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

Appointment of workplace safety and health committee and chairman

4.—(1) For the purposes of section 29(1) of the Act, a workplace safety and health committee shall be appointed in respect of every factory to which these Regulations apply.

(2) It shall be the duty of the occupier of such a factory to appoint, in respect of the factory —

(a)a workplace safety and health committee; and

(b)a person as a chairman of the workplace safety and health committee, being a person whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of its chairman.

Appointment of secretary

5.—(1)PART III

MEETINGS OF WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

Meetings

7.—(1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory meets at least once a month to discuss matters relating to the safety and health of persons at work in that factory.

(2) No person shall prevent any member from attending any meeting of his workplace safety and health committee that is held during working hours.

(3) No person shall make any deduction from the salary of any member for being absent from work for the purpose of attending any meeting of his workplace safety and health committee.

Minutes of meeting

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the secretary of the workplace safety and health committee of a factory to furnish a copy of the minutes of every meeting of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory to every member thereof and to the occupier of the factory.

(2)It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to —

(a)keep a copy of such minutes in the factory for inspection by any inspector; and

(b)furnish a copy of such minutes to the Commissioner at any time when required by the Commissioner.

Non-member may attend meetings

9.A workplace safety and health committee of a factory may invite any person employed in the factory who has suffered bodily injury as a result of any accident or dangerous occurrence which took place in the factory to attend any meeting of the committee to discuss the accident or dangerous occurrence.

Matters to be discussed at meetings

10.  At any meeting of a workplace safety and health committee of a factory, only matters relating to the safety and health of persons at work in the factory shall be discussed.Where there is a person appointed as the workplace safety and health officer of a factory, he shall be deemed to be appointed as the secretary of the workplace safety and health committee of that factory.

(2) Where no person is appointed as the workplace safety and health officer of a factory, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to appoint, from among the members of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory, a person to be its secretary.

Composition of workplace safety and health committee

6.It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to ensure that —

(a)the workplace safety and health committee of the factory consists of members who are representatives of persons at work in the factory and of the management of the factory; and

(b)at all times, the number of members who are representatives of the persons at work in the factory is not less than those who are representatives of the management of the factory.

PART IV. FUNCTIONS OF WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

General inspection of factory

11.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory inspects the factory at least once a month to see if necessary measures are taken to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

(2) Following every inspection of the factory under paragraph (1), it shall be the duty of the chairman of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee —

(a)discusses the observations of the members during the inspection at its next meeting; and

(b)records in a report —

(i)its opinion in respect of the lack of any measure, or any deficient measure, taken to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory; and

(ii)its recommendations on the actions to be taken in the factory to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

Inspection of factory after accident or dangerous occurrence

12.—(1) Where any accident or dangerous occurrence has taken place in any factory —

(a)it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory immediately carries out an inspection of the factory; and

(b)it shall be the duty of the workplace safety and health officer appointed in respect of the factory (if one has been appointed) to immediately conduct an investigation into the accident or dangerous occurrence and furnish the chairman of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory with a report of the findings of his investigation.

(2) After an inspection has been carried out in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) of a factory where an accident or a dangerous occurrence has taken place, it shall be the duty of the chairman of the workplace safety and health committee of the factory to ensure that the workplace safety and health committee of the factory —

(a)holds a meeting to discuss the observations of the members during the inspection and the report of the workplace safety and health officer referred to in paragraph (1)(b), if any; and

(b)records in a report —

(i)its opinion in respect of the lack of any measure, or any deficient measure, taken to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory so far associated with the condition of the factory and the cause of the accident or dangerous occurrence; and

(ii)its recommendations on the actions to be taken in the factory to ensure the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

Action to be taken on report of workplace safety and health committee

13.—(1) It shall be the duty of the chairman to furnish every report of his workplace safety and health committee referred to in regulation 11(2)(b) or 12(2)(b) to the occupier of the factory.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory, as soon as is reasonably practicable after receiving any report furnished under paragraph (1), to do the following:

(a)discuss the recommendations of the workplace safety and health committee with the workplace safety and health officer (if one has been appointed) or the chairman;

(b)record in the report the occupier’s decision; and

(c)direct any person at work in the factory to take such action as the occupier thinks necessary in the interests of the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to keep a copy of every report furnished under paragraph (1) in the factory.

Workplace safety and health committee to assist in organising certain activities to promote safe conduct of work in factory

14. The workplace safety and health committee of a factory may assist in organising any contest, competition or other activity for the purpose of promoting the safe conduct of work in the factory.

Guidelines to promote safe conduct of work in factory

15.—(1) The workplace safety and health committee of a factory shall, with the approval of the occupier of the factory, issue a set of guidelines to promote the safety and health of persons at work in the factory.

(2) The guidelines may, with the approval of the occupier of the factory, be amended or revoked by the workplace safety and health committee.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to publish a copy of the guidelines, and all amendments made to the guidelines, in such manner as will secure adequate publicity at the factory for the guidelines.

Basic knowledge of members of workplace safety and health committee

16. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures to ensure that the members of the workplace safety and health committee have a basic understanding and knowledge of the functions and duties of a workplace safety and health committee under the Act.

Powers of workplace safety and health committee

17. The workplace safety and health committee of a factory shall, for the purposes of discharging its functions and duties under the Act, have the power to do all or any of the following:

(a)to enter, inspect and examine the factory at any reasonable time;

(b)to inspect and examine any machinery, equipment, plant, installation or article in the factory;

(c)to require the production of factory records, certificates, notices and documents kept or required to be kept under the Act, including any other relevant document, and to inspect and examine any of them;

(d)to make such examination and inquiry of the factory and of any person at work in that factory as may be necessary to execute its duties;

(e)to assess the levels of noise, illumination, heat or harmful or hazardous substances in the factory and the exposure levels of persons at work therein;

(f)to investigate any accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease that occurred within the factory.

These are just some of the function of Workplace Safety and Health Safety Committee. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statutes Online and add this requirement into  your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Workplace Safety and Health Officers) Regulations 2007

Workplace Safety and Health (Workplace Safety and Health Officers) Regulations 2007

Application for approval to be workplace safety and health officer

2.—(1) A person may apply to the Commissioner for his approval to act as a workplace safety and health officer.

(2)An application under paragraph (1) shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the First Schedule and such fee shall not be refundable.

Requirements for approval as workplace safety and health officer

3. For the purposes of section 33(3)(a) of the Act, a person may be approved to act as a workplace safety and health officer if he satisfies the Commissioner that —

(a)he has —

(i)successfully completed a training course to equip him to become a workplace safety and health officer; and

(ii)at least 2 years’ practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a workplace safety and health officer; or

(b)although not having the qualifications and practical experience in paragraph (a), he nevertheless has had such other qualifications and practical experience as to render him, in the Commissioner’s opinion, competent to act as a workplace safety and health officer.

Certificate of approval

4.—(1) A certificate of approval for a person to act as a workplace safety and health officer shall, unless the approval for the person to so act is earlier cancelled, be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of approval or for such shorter period as the Commissioner may specify in the certificate of approval.

(2) A certificate of approval issued shall not be transferable.

(3) Where a certificate of approval is lost, destroyed or defaced, the holder of the certificate may apply to the Commissioner for a replacement certificate on payment of the appropriate fee specified in the First Schedule.

(4) An application under paragraph (3) to the Commissioner shall be supported by such documentary proof that the certificate of approval issued earlier has been lost, destroyed or defaced.

Renewal of approval

5.—(1) An application by a person for the renewal of the Commissioner’s approval of the person to act as a workplace safety and health officer shall be made in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine, and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the First Schedule.

(2) Any renewal fee paid under paragraph (1) shall not be refundable.

(3) Upon receiving an application for the renewal of approval under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may —

(a)renew the approval to act as a workplace safety and health officer for a period of 2 years; or

(b)refuse the renewal application if the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is no longer a fit and proper person to act as a workplace safety and health officer.

Register of workplace safety and health officers

6. The Commissioner shall keep an up-to-date register of all persons approved to act as workplace safety and health officers.

Workplace safety and health officer to attend courses

7.—(1) The Commissioner may, in granting any person approval to act as a workplace safety and health officer, impose as a condition the requirement for the person to attend such training courses which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, are relevant to the work of a workplace safety and health officer.

(2) Where a workplace safety and health officer fails to comply with paragraph (1), the Commissioner may —

(a)cancel the approval of the person as a workplace safety and health officer; or

(b)refuse the renewal application of a person as a workplace safety and health officer.

Workplaces requiring workplace safety and health officers

8.—(1) Every workplace within the prescribed class or description of workplaces specified in the Second Schedule shall have appointed in writing in respect thereof a workplace safety and health officer.

(2) A workplace safety and health officer referred to in paragraph (1) shall be appointed by the occupier of a workplace.

(3) Any occupier of a workplace who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

Duties of workplace safety and health officer

9.—(1) The duties of a workplace safety and health officer appointed in respect of a workplace shall be —

(a)to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace to identify and assess any foreseeable risk arising from the workplace or work processes therein;

(b)to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace reasonably practicable measures to eliminate any foreseeable risk to any person who is at work in that workplace or may be affected by the occupier’s undertaking in the workplace;

(c)where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk referred to in sub-paragraph (b), to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace —

(i)such reasonably practicable measures to minimise the risk; and

(ii)such safe work procedures to control the risk; and

(d)to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace implement the measure or safe work procedure referred to in sub-paragraph (b) or (c), as the case may be.

(2) Any workplace safety and health officer who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Powers of workplace safety and health officer

10. The workplace safety and health officer shall, for the purposes of discharging his duties under regulation 9, have the power to do any or all of the following:

(a)to enter, inspect and examine at any reasonable time the workplace;

(b)to inspect and examine any machinery, equipment, plant, installation or article in the workplace;

(c)to require the production of workplace records, certificates, notices and documents kept or required to be kept under the Act, including any other relevant document, and to inspect and examine any of them;

(d)to make such examination and inquiry of the workplace and of any person at work at that workplace as may be necessary to execute his duties;

(e)to assess the levels of noise, illumination, heat or harmful or hazardous substances in the workplace and the exposure levels of persons at work therein;

(f)to investigate any accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease that occurred within the workplace.

Apply to be a registered workplace safety and health officer

You can apply to be a registered workplace safety and health officer (WSHO) if you meet the requirements.

Requirements

You need to meet the following requirements to apply:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Singaporean, PR, Employment Pass holder or S Pass holder.

Note: If you’re a work pass holder, your occupation must be one of the following. Any other occupations will not be accepted.

• Fire and Safety Officer
• Health, Safety and Environmental Officer
• Safety Officer
• Workplace Safety Health Officer
• Have at least one of the prescribed workplace safety and health (WSH)-related qualifications (see accepted WSH-related qualifications).
• Have at least 2 years of work experience relevant to the work to be carried out by a WSHO. You need to provide documentary proof, e.g. a testimonial from your employer specifying clearly the period of employment where you served in a WSH-related designation.

The following work experience can be considered:

• Assistant WSHO
• WSH Coordinator or Safety Coordinator
• HSE Manager
• HSE Superintendent
• HSE Executive

You may have to attend an interview to allow us to further assess your suitability to be a WSH officer. We may require additional time to process your application if an interview is needed.

How to apply

To apply, follow these steps:

Log in to MOM website to apply. Navigate to Workplace Safety and Health .WSH professionals and Competent Persons-Apply for a licence or find listings for authorised examiners for lifting equipment and pressure vessels, crane operators, designated workplace doctors and WSH officers

Upload all supporting documents.

Pay the $110 fee online. Your application will only be processed upon payment.

(Optional) Log in to check your application status.

You will receive the outcome by mail. If your application is successful, you will also receive the registration card.

These are just some of the function of Workplace Safety and Health Officer. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statutes Online

and add this requirement into  your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Abrasive Blasting) Regulations 2008

Workplace Safety and Health (Abrasive Blasting) Regulations 2008

PART II

ABRASIVES USED IN BLASTING

Abrasives used in blasting

4. It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person carrying out any blasting in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out any blasting in a workplace, to ensure that no sand or other substance containing free silica is used as an abrasive in blasting or is introduced into or present in any blasting equipment as an abrasive.

Abrasives not to be used again

5.  It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person carrying out any blasting in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out any blasting in a workplace, to ensure that no substance which has been used as an abrasive in blasting is used again or be introduced into or be present in any blasting equipment as an abrasive unless, since last being so used, that substance has, so far as is reasonably practicable, been separated by means of a suitable and effective device from dusts and particles of materials arising from blasting.

PART III

PRECAUTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH BLASTING

Safety precautions

6.—(1) It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person carrying out any blasting in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out any blasting in a workplace, to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (8) are complied with.

(2)  Subject to paragraph (3), no blasting shall be carried out, so far as is reasonably practicable, except in a blasting enclosure.

(3)  Where it is not reasonably practicable to carry out blasting in a blasting enclosure —

(a)all reasonably practicable measures shall be taken to ensure that the dust generated from blasting is minimised and does not cause nuisance or pose any hazard to any person in the workplace at which the blasting is carried out;

(b)adequate signs to warn of the hazards associated with blasting shall be provided at suitable locations in the workplace; and

(c)no person shall be allowed to enter any area where there is a risk of exposure to dust arising from blasting unless the person is wearing suitable personal protective equipment as referred to in regulation 10.

(4) No person shall be allowed to enter any blasting enclosure except for the purpose of carrying out 

(a)any blasting; or

(b)the cleaning, repairing or maintenance of the blasting enclosure or any equipment, device or fixture situated therein.

(5)  Nothing in paragraph (4) shall operate to interfere with or render unlawful any rescue work or other work necessary for ensuring the safety of life or for preventing damage to property.

(6)  Except in the case of a blasting cabinet, every blasting enclosure shall be so constructed as to be safe for any person to enter or work within the blasting enclosure.

(7) All reasonably practical measures shall be taken to protect any person who is outside the blasting enclosure from exposure to dust generated by blasting.

(8) Every door of a blasting chamber shall —

(a)be kept closed but shall not be securely locked while blasting is being carried out therein; and

(b)be kept closed for a reasonable time after blasting has ceased.

Construction of blasting chamber

7.—(1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which blasting is carried out within a blasting chamber to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) are complied with.

(2) Every blasting chamber shall be —

(a)of sound construction;

(b)so situated or constructed as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, dust escaping from it;

(c)provided with suitable and adequate means of access which shall at all times be kept free from obstruction; and

(d)provided with inspection ports placed at suitable locations.

(3) The interior of every blasting chamber shall, so far as is practicable, be free from projections on which dust might settle.

(4) The illumination of every blasting chamber shall not be less than 200 lux over all parts of the chamber measured in a horizontal plane at one metre above the floor.

Handling of heavy or bulky articles

8. It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person carrying out any blasting in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out any blasting in a workplace,to provide suitable and adequate means to secure in position any heavy or bulky article while such article is being blasted within the blasting enclosure.

Static electrical charges

9.It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person carrying out any blasting in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out any blasting in a workplace, to provide effective means for the discharge of static electrical charges from blasting nozzles used in blasting.

Personal protective equipment

10.—(1)  It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person carrying out —

(i)any blasting or other work connected with the blasting process; or

(ii)any cleaning, repairing or maintenance work;

within any blasting enclosure in a workplace; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out the work referred to in sub-paragraph (a) in a workplace, to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (5) are complied with.

(2) Every person carrying out any work referred to in paragraph (1) —

(a)shall be provided with suitable overalls, boots and gloves; and

(b)shall be provided with a supplied-air blasting helmet.

(3) Every supplied-air blasting helmet referred to in paragraph (2)(b) —

(a)shall be supplied with sufficient breathing quality air;

(b)shall be provided with an efficient pressure reducing or limiting device;

(c)shall be provided with an efficient valve or other appliance as means for the person wearing it to regulate the flow of air to his needs;

(d)shall be for use by a single person only; and

(e)must not have been previously used by another person or, if it has been so used by another person, must have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected since it was last used.

(4)No pipeline carrying gases, other than a pipeline carrying breathing quality air, shall be connected to the air-supply line for any supplied-air blasting helmet.

(5)Every personal protective equipment shall, when not in use, be kept in a storage accommodation that is free from dust arising from blasting.

These are just some of the legal requirement for ABRASIVE BLASTING. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Asbestos) Regulations 2014

Workplace Safety and Health (Asbestos) Regulations 2014

PART II

ASCERTAINING PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS OR

ASBESTOS‑CONTAINING MATERIALS AT WORKPLACE

Survey of workplace

3.—(1) It shall be the duty of the employer of a person who is to carry out, or the principal under whose direction a person is to carry out, at a workplace —

(a)any work, operation or process involving a specified material; or

(b)any building works relating to any building in respect of which or any part of which no certificate of statutory completion or a temporary occupation permit is issued on or after 1st January 1991,to ensure that the work, operation or process or the building works, as the case may be, starts to be carried out only after the employer or principal, as the case may be, receives a survey report from a competent person appointed by the employer or principal under paragraph (2) as to whether asbestos is present in the specified material, or asbestos or asbestos-containing material is fixed or installed in the building, as the case may be.

(2) It shall be the duty of the employer or principal, as the case may be, referred to in paragraph (1) to appoint a competent person —

(a)in the case of any work, operation or process involving a specified material referred to in paragraph (1)(a), to conduct a survey of the specified material to ascertain whether asbestos is present in the specified material; or

(b)in the case of any building works relating to a building referred to in paragraph (1)(b), to conduct a survey of the building to ascertain whether asbestos or asbestos-containing material is fixed or installed in the building.

(3) Paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a) shall not apply to any work, operation or process involving a specified material where the employer or principal, as the case may be, referred to in paragraph (1) has documentary proof that that specified material does not contain asbestos.

(4)In addition to paragraph (1), where the Commissioner has reason to believe that asbestos or asbestos-containing material may in any other case —

(a)be present at any workplace; or

(b)be fixed or installed in any building in respect of which or any part of which a certificate of statutory completion or a temporary occupation permit is issued on or after 1st January 1991,

the Commissioner may, by order in writing, direct the employer of a person who carries out or is to carry out, or the principal under whose direction a person carries out or is to carry out, any work, operation or process at the workplace or any building works relating to any part of such a building, as the case may be, to appoint a competent person —

(i)in the case of any work, operation or process, to conduct a survey of the workplace to ascertain whether asbestos or asbestos-containing material is present at the workplace; or

(ii)in the case of any building works, to conduct a survey of the building to ascertain whether asbestos or asbestos-containing material is fixed or installed in the building.

(5) It shall be the duty of an employer or a principal to whom an order is issued under paragraph (4) to comply with the direction in the order.

Conduct of survey

4.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a competent person who is appointed under regulation 3 by an employer or a principal to conduct a survey referred to in regulation 3(2) or (4) to exercise care and diligence in conducting the survey.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), it shall be the duty of a competent person —

(a)to take, with the consent of the owner or occupier of a workplace or building to which the survey relates, such samples of materials, substances, products and articles from the workplace or the building as may be necessary to test and analyse for the presence of asbestos;

(b)To ensure that the samples referred to in sub-paragraph (a) are tested and analysed by a recognised testing body; and

(c)to prepare, without delay, a report on the survey conducted.

Submission and keeping of survey report

5.—(1) It shall be the duty of a competent person who is appointed under regulation 3 by an employer or a principal to conduct a survey referred to in regulation 3(2) or (4) to submit, within 3 months after the date of being so appointed, to the employer or principal, as the case may be, the completed survey report and the results of all tests and analyses carried out under regulation 4.

(2) It shall be the duty of the employer or principal who receives any survey report and results from a competent person under paragraph (1) to keep the report and results for at least 2 years after the date of their receipt.

(3) Any competent person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —

(a)for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $2,000; and

(b)for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

(4) Any employer or principal who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

PART III

GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR WORK INVOLVING ASBESTOS

Training for persons carrying out work involving asbestos

6.—(1)It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to ensure that that person attends and successfully completes a training programme described in paragraph (2)  —

(a)not earlier than 12 months immediately before that person starts to carry out the work; and

(b)at least once every 12 months after the date of completion of the last training programme for as long as that person carries out or is to carry out the work.

(2) The training programme referred to in paragraph (1) must include instructions to familiarise a participant of the programme with the hazards associated with work involving asbestos, and in particular, on the following matters:

(a)harmful properties of asbestos and its hazardous effects on health;

(b)materials, substances, products and articles which contain or are likely to contain asbestos;

(c)work, processes and operations which may result in exposure to asbestos and preventive measures to minimise such exposure;

(d)safe work practices and use of personal protective equipment;

(e)proper use, maintenance and limitations of respiratory protective equipment;

(f)asbestos decontamination procedures;

(g)asbestos waste-handling procedures;

(h)Such requirements for medical examinations as may be specified in the Workplace Safety and Health (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011 (G.N. No. S 516/2011).

(3)  It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to keep records of every training programme undertaken by that person for at least 2 years after the date of completion of the training programme.

(4) The records of a training programme referred to in paragraph (3) shall include —

(a)information on the syllabus and content of the training programme; and

(b)the start and end dates of the training programme.

(5) Any responsible person who contravenes paragraph (1) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —

(a)for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $2,000; and

(b)for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Personal protective equipment for persons carrying out work involving asbestos

7.—(1)It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos —

(a)to provide each such person with appropriate personal protective equipment; and

(b)to ensure that each such person uses the personal protective equipment when carrying out the work.

(2)  The personal protective equipment referred to in paragraph (1) shall include —

(a)respiratory protective equipment; and

(b)disposable protective clothing.

(3) It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to ensure that the requirements in paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) relating to the provision of the respiratory protective equipment and the requirement in paragraph (7) relating to the storage of personal protective equipment are complied with.

(4) A person shall not be provided under paragraph (1) with any respiratory protective equipment previously used by another person unless the equipment has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected since it was last used.

(5) Respiratory protective equipment provided under paragraph (1) must be tested to fit (referred to in this regulation as a fit-test) the person to whom it is provided —

(a)not earlier than 12 months immediately preceding the person’s first use of the respiratory protective equipment; and

(b)thereafter at least once every 12 months after the last fit‑test.

(6) Records of every fit-test referred to in paragraph (5) must be kept for at least 2 years after the date of the fit-test.

(7) Adequate facilities must be provided at the workplace for the proper storage of the personal protective equipment provided to, and the personal clothing of, persons carrying out any work involving asbestos, to prevent contamination.

Restricting access to asbestos work area

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to ensure that no person has access to that asbestos work area unless —

(a)that person carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos in that asbestos work area; and

(b)that person is using the personal protective equipment provided to him by the responsible person.

(2) It shall be the duty of the responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to ensure —

(a)that the asbestos work area where the work is or is to be carried out is effectively barricaded or enclosed to delineate it from other areas in the workplace; and

(b)that warning signs are displayed at one or more conspicuous places of that asbestos work area to warn of the hazards of exposure to asbestos.

(3)  Nothing in this regulation shall operate to interfere with or render unlawful any rescue work or other work necessary for the general safety of life or property.

Measures to minimise release or spread of asbestos during work

9.—(1)It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to take such measures as are reasonably practicable to minimise the release of asbestos into the air arising from the work involving asbestos, including the use of one or more of the following:

(a)a wet method;

(b)engineering control such as a local exhaust ventilation system or containment;

(c)any other safe and appropriate work method or work practice designed to minimise the release of asbestos.

(2) Where a local exhaust ventilation system is used for the purposes of paragraph (1), it shall be the duty of the responsible person referred to in that paragraph to ensure that the local exhaust ventilation system is regularly maintained and tested for effectiveness.

(3) It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out any work involving asbestos to take such measures as are reasonably practicable to prevent the spread of asbestos beyond the asbestos work area where the work is or is to be carried out, including all of the following:

(a)enclosing the asbestos work area and maintaining a negative pressure within the asbestos work area;

(b)turning off and sealing all affected ventilation and air‑conditioning systems in the asbestos work area;

(c)filtering all asbestos-contaminated water through a high efficiency particulate filter.

(4)  In this regulation —

“local exhaust ventilation system” means an exhaust ventilation system designed specifically to capture airborne asbestos, including an air cleaning device fitted with high efficiency particulate air filters;

“wet method” means the use of suitable wetting agents to soak or totally saturate any asbestos or asbestos-containing material, or the spraying of wetting agents on any asbestos or asbestos-containing material, but does not include the use of a high pressure water jet.

Decontamination of materials, etc., that are contaminated with asbestos

10.—(1) It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out or is to carry out in an asbestos work area any work involving asbestos to provide —

(a)at the asbestos work area adequate facilities to decontaminate all materials, tools and equipment present in that asbestos work area whether or not used during any work involving asbestos; and

(b)at an area adjacent to the asbestos work area adequate facilities to decontaminate —

(i)any person carrying out any work involving asbestos at that asbestos work area and his personal protective equipment immediately after that person leaves that asbestos work area; or

(ii)any person who has had access to that asbestos work area and his personal clothing worn during such access immediately after that person leaves that asbestos work area.

(2)It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out any work involving asbestos to ensure that no material, tool or equipment that is or may be contaminated with asbestos is removed from any asbestos work area where the work is or is to be carried out, unless —

(a)it is properly decontaminated and cleaned to be free of asbestos; or

(b)it is securely placed in a sealed container or a sealed bag, the exterior of which is properly decontaminated and labelled in accordance with regulation 12(2) and (3).

Cleanliness of asbestos work area

11. It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out any work involving asbestos to take such measures as are reasonably practicable to ensure that —

(a)there is no accumulation of dust or debris in the asbestos work area while the work involving asbestos is being carried out; and

(b)after the completion of the work or at the end of each working day, that asbestos work area is thoroughly cleaned so as to eliminate all dust and debris.

Storage and disposal of asbestos waste and contaminated matter

12.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out any work involving asbestos to ensure that the requirements in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) relating to the storage and disposal of asbestos waste and any contaminated matter are complied with.

(2) Asbestos waste must be securely placed in a sealed container or a sealed bag, the exterior of which must be properly decontaminated before it is removed from any asbestos work area.

(3) Any container or bag containing asbestos waste or any contaminated matter must be affixed with one or more labels —

(a)that indicates the contents of the container or bag;

(b)that warns of the hazards of exposure to asbestos; and

(c)that is prominently displayed.

(4) Asbestos waste and any contaminated matter must be disposed of as soon as practicable.

(5) It shall be the duty of a responsible person with respect to any person who carries out any work involving asbestos to ensure that asbestos waste and any contaminated matter are disposed of in a manner that will not pose any risk to the safety or health of any person.

(6) In this regulation, “contaminated matter” means any material, tool or equipment referred to in regulation 10(1)(a) which is contaminated with asbestos. 

These are just some of the legal requirements for carrying out works involving asbestos. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statutes Online and add this requirement into  your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009

Workplace Safety and Health (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009

PART II
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Record of confined spaces in factory

4.Where a fixed and stationary confined space is sited in a factory, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to —

(a)make a record of the description and location of the confined space; and

(b)inform persons who are liable to be exposed to the hazards of the confined space, of the existence and hazards of the confined space.

Access to and egress from confined space

5. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to take, so far as is reasonably practicable, measures to ensure that the means of entry into and egress from any confined space in the workplace are safe and without risks to the health of every person entering or leaving the same.

Opening of entrance cover of confined space

6. It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space which contains any substance under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to ensure that —

(a)the entrance cover of the confined space is not removed unless the confined space is depressurised and rendered safe for opening; and

(b)when such entrance cover is removed, the opening to the confined space is barricaded or guarded by railings or other effective means, to prevent any person or object from falling into the confined space.

Lighting in confined space

7.  It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that there is sufficient and suitable lighting for such entry into or work in the confined space.

Ventilation in confined space

8.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that the ventilation in the confined space complies with this regulation.

(2) Adequate and effective ventilation shall be maintained in the confined space for the purposes of entry into and work in the confined space.

(3) The air supply for the ventilation shall be —

(a)from a source free from contaminants; and

(b)directed to the area where a person is or will be present in the confined space.

(4) Where exhaust ventilation is used, the exhaust air from the ventilation system shall be exhausted to a location outside the confined space where it does not present a hazard to any person.

PART III

CONTROL OF ENTRY INTO CONFINED SPACE

Implementation of confined space entry permit

9. Before any person enters or works in a confined space, it shall be the duty of his responsible person to —

(a)appoint a person whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to carry out the duties of an authorised manager, as an authorised manager for the confined space;

(b)appoint a person whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to carry out the duties of a confined space safety assessor, as a confined space safety assessor for the confined space; and

(c)ensure that a confined space entry permit has been issued in respect of the entry into or work in the confined space which specifies —

(i)the description and location of the confined space;

(ii)the purpose of entry into the confined space;

(iii)the results of the gas testing of the atmosphere of the confined space; and

(iv)its period of validity.

No entry into or work in confined space without evaluation and confined space entry permit

10.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall enter or work in a confined space unless —

(a)the occupier of the workplace in which the confined space is sited has made an evaluation that it is necessary for such person to enter or work in the confined space; and

(b)a confined space entry permit has been issued in respect of such entry into or work in the confined space.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) shall not apply if the person entering or working in the confined space —

(a)is wearing a suitable breathing apparatus;

(b)has been authorised to enter or work in the confined space by the authorised manager for the confined space; and

(c)where reasonably practicable, is wearing a safety harness with a rope securely attached and there is a confined space attendant keeping watch outside the confined space who is provided with the means to pull such person out of the confined space in an emergency.

Application for confined space entry permit

11. An application for a confined space entry permit shall —

(a)be made by the supervisor of the person who is to enter or work in the confined space;

(b)be made in such form and manner as may be required by the authorised manager for the confined space;

(c)state the measures which will be taken to ensure the safety and health of persons who enter or carry out the work in the confined space; and

(d)be addressed to the authorised manager and submitted to the confined space safety assessor for the confined space.

Evaluation of confined space entry permit

12.—(1) On receipt of the application for a confined space entry permit, the confined space safety assessor shall test the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry by any person into the confined space.

(2) The confined space safety assessor shall, in relation to the testing of the atmosphere referred to in paragraph (1) —

(a)use a suitable and properly calibrated instrument;

(b)conduct the test in the following sequence:

(i)test for level of oxygen content;

(ii)test for level of flammable gas or vapour; and

(iii)test for concentration of toxic gas or vapour, where applicable;

(c)conduct the test in a manner that will not endanger himself or others; and

(d)record the results of the test in the confined space entry permit.

(3) If the confined space safety assessor is satisfied that entry into or work in a confined space can be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of persons who enter or work in the confined space, he shall endorse the application for the confined space entry permit and forward the endorsed application to the authorised manager for the confined space.

(4)It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor to exercise all due diligence when performing his functions in relation to the testing, evaluation and endorsement of an application for a confined space entry permit under paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).

Issue of confined space entry permit

13.—(1) The authorised manager for a confined space may issue a confined space entry permit in respect of entry into or work in the confined space if the authorised manager is satisfied that —

(a)the level of oxygen in the confined space is within the range of 19.5% to 23.5% by volume;

(b)the level of flammable gas or vapour in the confined space is less than 10% of its lower explosive limit;

(c)the levels of toxic substances in the atmosphere of the confined space do not exceed the permissible exposure levels as specified in the First Schedule to the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations (Rg 1);

(d)the confined space is adequately ventilated;

(e)effective steps have been taken to prevent any ingress of dangerous gases, vapours or any other dangerous substances into the confined space; and

(f)all reasonably practicable measures have been taken to ensure the safety and health of persons who will be entering or working in the confined space.

(2)  If the authorised manager issues a confined space entry permit, it shall be his duty to retain a copy of the permit.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the authorised manager to exercise all due diligence when performing his function in relation to the issuance of a confined space entry permit under paragraph (1).

(4) If the entry or work in the confined space for which the confined space entry permit is issued is not completed within the validity period of the permit, a fresh application shall be made in accordance with regulation 11.

Posting of confined space entry permit

14. Where a confined space entry permit is issued to a supervisor of a person who is to enter or work in a confined space, it shall be the duty of the supervisor to —

(a)clearly post a copy of the permit at the entrance to the confined space, including where reasonably practicable, a sketch of the area within the confined space where the entry is to be made or work is to be conducted; and

(b)ensure that the copy of the permit is not removed until —

(i)the date of expiry of the permit;

(ii)the revocation of the permit; or

(iii)the person entering or working in the confined space has left the confined space after achieving the purpose of the entry or completing the work, as the case may be,

whichever is the earliest.

Monitoring to ensure safety and health of worker during entry into or work in confined space

15.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space and the authorised manager for the confined space to ensure that all measures necessary to ensure his safety and health are taken and in place at all times during his entry into, stay or work in the confined space.

(2) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to inform the authorised manager for the confined space when the person entering or working in the confined space has left the confined space after achieving the purpose of the entry or completing the work, as the case may be.

Periodic testing of atmosphere

16.—(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that —

(a)the atmosphere in the confined space is tested by a confined space safety assessor at such intervals as is necessary to evaluate the safety and health of the person entering or working in the confined space;

(b)if there are 2 or more persons present in the confined space, at least one of them continuously monitors the atmosphere in the confined space with a suitable gas detector; and

(c)if a hazardous atmosphere in a confined space is detected by the tests or continuous monitoring referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) —

(i)all persons in the confined space shall vacate the confined space immediately;

(ii)an evaluation is made to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed; and

(iii)no person re-enters the confined space until a new confined space entry permit is issued by the authorised manager for the confined space.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to record the results of the tests referred to in that paragraph.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that each of the records referred to in paragraph (2) are kept for not less than 2 years from the date it is made.

Duty to report incompatible work

17.—(1) It shall be the duty of any person who is aware of any work being carried out in a workplace in which a confined space is sited which is incompatible with any other work being carried out in the confined space, to immediately report the incompatible work to his supervisor, the workplace safety and health officer, the workplace safety and health co-ordinator or the authorised manager for the confined space.

(2) In paragraph (1), “incompatible work” means work which is carried out at or in the vicinity of any work carried out in the confined space and which is likely to pose a risk to the safety and health of persons present in the confined space.

Review and revocation of confined space entry permit

18.—(1) It shall be the duty of the authorised manager for a confined space who has issued a confined space entry permit to review and assess the need for entry into or work in the confined space on a daily basis and revoke the permit if he thinks fit to do so.

(2) If, after issuing a confined space entry permit, the authorised manager is of the view that the carrying out of the work in the confined space poses or is likely to pose a risk to the safety and health of persons entering or working in the confined space, he may order all persons to leave the confined space immediately and all work in the confined space to cease immediately, and revoke the confined space entry permit.

(3) Without prejudice to paragraph (2), the authorised manager —

(a)may revoke a confined space entry permit in respect of a confined space if he is satisfied that —

(i)the entry or work in the confined space has been completed; or

(ii)the entry or work in the confined space cannot be continued for a significant period of time; and

(b)shall, in the circumstances described in regulation 16(1)(c), revoke the relevant confined space entry permit.

These are just some of the legal requirements for working in confined spaces. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statutes Online

and add this requirement into  your organization compliance obligation procedure

WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007

Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations 2007

PART II

SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT

4. [Deleted by S 608/2009 wef 01/03/2010]

Site coordination meeting

5. It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite to —

(a)convene such site coordination meetings as are necessary with due regard to the progress of the works which are, or are to be, carried out in the worksite for the purpose of coordinating such works so as to ensure the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in the worksite; and

(b)ensure that every meeting is —

(i)presided by the project manager of the worksite; and

(ii)attended by every person (being a supervisor, an engineer, a workplace safety and health co-ordinator or a workplace safety and health officer) who is involved in any work or process being co-ordinated in the worksite and any other person who oversees any such work or process.

Workplace safety and health co-ordinator

6.—(1) For the purposes of section 28(1) of the Act, a workplace safety and health co-ordinator shall be appointed in respect of every worksite where the contract sum of the building operation or works of engineering construction carried out therein is less than $10 million.

(2) Every workplace safety and health co-ordinator shall be appointed by the occupier of every worksite referred to in paragraph (1).

(3)  The occupier of the worksite shall not appoint any person as a workplace safety and health co-ordinator unless the person is one —

(a)who has successfully completed a training course to equip him to be a workplace safety and health co-ordinator;

(b)whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of a workplace safety and health co-ordinator; and

(c)whom the occupier reasonably believes has at least 2 years’ practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a workplace safety and health co-ordinator.

(4)  Any occupier of a worksite who contravenes paragraph (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

Duties of workplace safety and health co-ordinator

7.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a workplace safety and health co-ordinator appointed under regulation 6(1) in respect of a worksite to —

(a)assist the occupier of the worksite to identify any unsafe condition in the worksite or unsafe work practice which is carried out in the worksite;

(b)recommend to the occupier of the worksite to implement such reasonably practicable measures to remedy the unsafe condition or unsafe work practice; and

(c)assist the occupier of the worksite to implement such reasonably practicable measures referred to in sub-paragraph (b).

(2) Any workplace safety and health co-ordinator who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a further fine not exceeding $5,000.

Powers of workplace safety and health co-ordinator

8. A workplace safety and health co-ordinator shall, for the purposes of discharging his duties under regulation 7, have the power to do all or any of the following:

(a)to enter, inspect and examine at any reasonable time the worksite;

(b)to inspect and examine any machinery, equipment, plant, installation or article in the worksite;

(c)to require the production of worksite records, certificates, notices and documents kept or required to be kept under the Act, including any other relevant document, and to inspect and examine any of them;

(d)to make such examination and inquiry of the worksite and of any person at work at that worksite as may be necessary to execute his duties;

(e)to assess the level of noise, illumination, heat or harmful or hazardous substances in the worksite and the exposure levels of persons at work therein; and

(f)to investigate any accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease that occurred within the worksite.

Safety and health training

9.—(1)  It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who carries out manual work in a worksite; or

(b)the principal under whose direction a person carries out manual work in a worksite,

to ensure that the person does not carry out any manual work in the worksite unless the person has received adequate safety and health training for the purpose of familiarising the person with the hazards associated with such work and the precautions to be observed.

(2) It shall be the duty of —

(a)the employer of any person who carries out oversight or supervisory work in a worksite; or

(b)the principal under whose direction any person carries out oversight or supervisory work in a worksite,

to ensure that the person does not oversee or supervise any work (including any process) in the worksite unless the person has received adequate safety and health training to ensure that the work which the person oversees or supervises can be carried out safely.

PART III

PERMIT-TO-WORK SYSTEM

Application of this Part

10.  his Part shall apply only to the following types of work that form part of any building operation or works of engineering construction (referred to in these Regulations as high-risk construction work):

(a)demolition work;

(b)excavation and trenching work in a tunnel or hole in the ground exceeding 1.5 metres depth;

(c)lifting operations involving tower, mobile or crawler crane;

(d)piling work; and

[S 278/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(e)tunnelling work.

[S 278/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(f)[Deleted by S 278/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(g)[Deleted by S 224/2013 wef 01/05/2013]

Implementation of permit-to-work

11.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite at which any high-risk construction work is or is to be carried out to —

(a)appoint a project manager for the worksite;

(b)appoint a safety assessor (who shall be either a workplace health and safety officer for the worksite or a competent person); and

(c)take, so far as is reasonably practicable, such measures as are necessary to ensure that a permit-to-work system in accordance with this Part is implemented for that worksite.

(2)  The permit-to-work system referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide that —

(a)any high-risk construction work at the worksite must be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of persons carrying out the high-risk construction work in the worksite;

(b)such persons are informed of the hazards associated with the high-risk construction work and the precautions they have to take; and

(c)the necessary safety precautions are taken and enforced when the high-risk construction work is being carried out in the worksite.

(3) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a worksite to ensure that no person is appointed as a safety assessor unless the person is one whom the occupier reasonably believes is competent to perform the functions and duties of a safety assessor.

No high-risk construction work without permit-to-work

12.—(1)Subject to paragraph (2), any person who carries out any high-risk construction work in a worksite without a permit-to-work first issued by the project manager of the worksite in respect of that high-risk construction work shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall operate to interfere with or render unlawful any rescue work or other work necessary for the general safety of life or property.

Application for permit-to-work

13. An application for a permit-to-work shall —

(a)be made by the supervisor of a person who is to carry out any high-risk construction work in a worksite;

(b)be made in such form and manner as may be required by the project manager of the worksite;

(c)state the measures which will be taken to ensure the safety and health of persons who carry out the high-risk construction work in the worksite; and

(d)be addressed to the project manager and submitted to the safety assessor for the worksite where the high-risk construction work is to be carried out.

Evaluation of permit-to-work

14.—(1) On receipt of the application for a permit-to-work, the safety assessor shall —

(a)assess whether all reasonably practicable measures have been taken to ensure the safety and health of the persons who will be carrying out the high-risk construction work in the worksite; and

(b)inspect the site (including its surroundings) where the high-risk construction work is to be carried out together with the supervisor of the person who is to carry out the work to ensure that the high-risk construction work can be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of the person or any other person at work in the worksite who may be affected.

(2) If the safety assessor is satisfied that the high-risk construction work can be carried out in the worksite with due regard to the safety and health of workers and other persons at work in the worksite who may be affected, he shall endorse the application for the permit-to-work and forward the endorsed application to the project manager of the worksite.

(3)It shall be the duty of the safety assessor to exercise all due diligence when performing his functions in relation to the evaluation and endorsement of an application for a permit-to-work under paragraphs (1) and (2).

Issue of permit-to-work

15.—(1) The project manager of a worksite may issue a permit-to-work in relation to any high-risk construction work which is to be carried out in the worksite if the project manager is satisfied that —

(a)there has been a proper evaluation of the risks and hazards involved in the carrying out of the work based on the available information;

(b)no incompatible work which may pose a risk to the safety and health of other persons at work in the worksite will be carried out at the same time in the same vicinity as the high-risk construction work;

(c)all reasonably practicable measures will or have been taken to ensure the safety and health of the persons who carry out or are to carry out the high-risk construction work; and

(d)all persons who are to carry out the high-risk construction work are informed of the hazards associated with it.

(2)The project manager of a worksite who issues a permit-to-work in respect of any high-risk construction work shall retain a copy of the permit-to-work.

(3)It shall be the duty of the project manager of a worksite to exercise all due diligence when performing his function in relation to the issuance of a permit-to-work under paragraph (1).

(4)Subject to regulation 19, a permit-to-work shall be valid for the period stated therein, and if the high-risk construction work for which the permit-to-work is issued is not completed within the validity period, a fresh application shall be made in accordance with regulation 13.

Posting of permit-to-work and supervisor’s duty

16.It shall be the duty of the supervisor of any person who carries out any high-risk construction work in a worksite to —

(a)clearly post a copy of the permit-to-work issued in respect of that high-risk construction work, including where reasonably practicable, a sketch of any area where the high-risk construction work is permitted, at the work area where the work is carried out; and

(b)ensure that the copy is not removed until the date of expiry or date of revocation of the permit-to-work or on completion of the high-risk construction work, whichever is the earlier.

Monitoring of work

17.—(1)It shall be the duty of the project manager of a worksite to continually review the progress of all high-risk construction work being carried out in the worksite to ensure that the high-risk construction work is carried out with due regard to the safety, health and welfare of the persons carrying out the high-risk construction work in the worksite.

(2) It shall be the duty of the supervisor of any person who carries out any high-risk construction work in a worksite —

(a)to ensure that the measures necessary to ensure the safety and health of the person at work are taken and are in place at all times during the validity period of the permit-to-work; and

(b)to inform the project manager of the worksite upon completion of the high-risk construction work.

Duty to report incompatible work

18.—(1)It shall be the duty of any person who is aware of any work being carried out in a worksite which is incompatible with any high-risk construction work being carried out in the worksite to immediately report the incompatible work to his supervisor, the workplace safety and health officer, the workplace safety and health co-ordinator or the project manager of the worksite.

(2)In this regulation, any work in a worksite which is carried out at or in the vicinity of any high-risk construction work and which is likely to pose a risk to the safety or health of persons at work in the worksite shall be treated as incompatible work.

Revocation of permit-to-work

19.If the project manager of a worksite who, after issuing a permit-to-work in respect of any high-risk construction work, is of the view that the carrying out of the high-risk construction work poses or is likely to pose a risk to the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in the worksite, he may order the high-risk construction work to cease immediately and revoke the permit-to-work

These are just some of the legal requirement for managing construction sites. To learn more refer to the Singapore Statues Online and update your organization compliance obligation procedure