08 Oct 2018
Work at Heights Forum and Target Zero Falls Campaign 2018
On 4 October 2018, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council in collaboration with the Singapore Institution of Safety Officers (SISO) and International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), jointly organised the Work At Heights (WAH) Forum 2018 and launched the Target Zero Falls Campaign 2018 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
In his opening speech, Minister of State for National Development and Manpower, Mr Zaqy Mohamad shared how the work of the National Work At Heights Safety Taskforce had paid off with support from industry stakeholders. The number of fatal cases had fallen from 24 cases in 2009 to 8 cases in 2017, while the number of injuries had reduced from 388 cases between January to July in 2017, to 358 cases the same period this year.
However, with 4 out of 5 fatal fall from heights incidents this year related to open sides and fragile surfaces, he reminded industry stakeholders to remain vigilant and ensure open sides, fragile surfaces and roofs are properly barricaded or have adequate safety measures in place to protect our workers. He rallied participants to “Take Time To Take Care” of their safety and health and pledge their support to prevent incidents of falling from heights.
He also cited the increased use of technology by companies to reduce WAH risks, such as mounted cameras to detect activities that are conducted without proper safeguards. Technology had also transformed how workers are trained, such as the use of Virtual Reality to provide workers with a more realistic and interactive environment.
The WAH Forum 2018 aimed to raise WAH safety awareness in the industry and showcased innovative equipment and processes that could mitigate or eliminate WAH risks at the workplace. Speakers from the Ministry of Manpower, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. and IPAF shared safe practices in underground and tunnelling works and case studies of past WAH incidents.
For the launch of the Target Zero Falls Campaign 2018 and to spread the call to action message “Take Time to Take Care”, the WSH Council has produced a short video on working safely at heights. The video is available for viewing on the WSH Council’s Facebook and YouTube.
To view Mr Zaqy Mohamad’s opening speech, click here.
For more information on the Campaign and to pledge your support, click here.
Transition of the accreditation of Auditing Organisation from Ministry of Manpower to Singapore Accreditation Council
The Singapore Accreditation Council’s (SAC) accreditation scheme has replaced the Ministry of Manpower’s workplace safety and health (WSH) auditing organisation scheme on 1 October 2018. The change aims to raise and maintain the standard of accreditation. All WSH auditing service providers are required to meet the SAC new accreditation criteria, CT 17 – Criteria for Accreditation of Auditing Organisation (AO) by the said date.
For bizSAFE Level 3 Risk Management Audit
To ease the transition, a 6-month grace period will be granted to MOM’s WSH auditing organisations that conduct bizSAFE Level 3 risk management audits up to 31 March 2019. Thereafter, from 1 April 2019 the bizSAFE Level 3 risk management audit must be carried out under SAC-AO scheme.
Workshops
Develop a Workplace Safety and Health Management System Implementation Plan (bizSAFE Level 4)
| Date: | 15 – 18 October 2018 |
| Time: | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Venue: | SISO Academy 167 Jalan Bukit Merah, #02-13, Connection One, Tower 5, Singapore 150167 |
Acquire the skills and knowledge to be the Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) Programme Lead for your organisation. Learn how to prepare a WSHMS implementation plan to meet the requirements of SS 506, risk management code of practice and for recognition of bizSAFE Level 4 by the Workplace Safety and Health Council.
For more information, click here.
16th SISO WSHO Conference 2018
| Date: | 2 November 2018 (Friday) |
| Time: | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Venue: | Heliconia Room, Level 3, Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971 |
Organised by the the Singapore Institution of Safety Officers, the conference provides sharing of knowledge, views and best practices in workplace safety and health
For more information, click here.
Visit the WSH Council’s website now for updates on WSH-related matters, information and events.