23 Apr 2019
Ref No.: 230419 (1)
UEN: S97SS0046G
Dear Valued ASPRI Members,
WSH Circular – Duties of employers in metalworking sector // Act now to prevent heat stress // Industry Workshops
WSH Circular – Duties of employers in metalworking sector
In 2018, the metalworking sector is one of the top contributors of major injuries in Singapore at the rate of 31.6 per 100,000 workers. This is even higher than the construction (27.8) and marine (23.1) sectors. The Ministry of Manpower have issued a circular reminding employers in the metalworking sector, including those who employ Construction Work Permit Holders in metalworking factories, to ensure their workers are trained and competent in their duties safely.
The circular also highlighted all workers and supervisors should attend appropriate safety courses to be equipped with the relevant WSH competencies.
View the circular here
Act now to prevent heat stress
In 2018, Singapore clocked temperatures that made it the Republic’s eighth warmest year. December 2018 was the second warmest December in history1. A worrying sign of things to come, the country’s coolest month this decade – at 26.9°C – was the same temperature as the hottest month in the 1970s2.
Since the start 2019, Singapore has had no respite from the heat according to NEA’s published reports. This puts workers at an increased risk of heat stress. The warmer period typically falls between April and September each year where daily temperatures can be expected to hit as high as 35°C on some days.
Heat-related injuries (e.g. heat exhaustion) can be prevented and the WSH Council recommends the following measures that employers can adopt to prevent heat stress for their workers at workplaces:
Physical measures
- Provide easy access to cool drinking water;
- Provide shaded areas for work and rest;
- Provide mechanical ventilation (e.g. by installing fans or blowers) if possible;
- Provide insulation and/or shielding of hot equipment at the work area; and
- Reduce manual handling of heavy loads by providing mechanical aids where possible.
Administrative measures
- Schedule mandatory rest periods and a “water parade” for workers working in hot environments;
- Schedule strenuous work (especially work under direct sun) to cooler periods of the day;
- Encourage workers to wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing where possible;
- Educate workers on the risk of working in hot environments and recognise the early signs and symptoms of heat-related disorders such as muscle cramps, headache, giddiness and shallow breathing;
- Advise all workers who are feeling unwell to report to their supervisor immediately and see a doctor; and
- Put in place an emergency response procedure to manage workers with symptoms of heat-related disorders.
Employers are also reminded to pay extra attention to new or returning foreign workers coming from cooler climates. Due to the drastic change in environment, it is important for these workers to be put through a heat acclimatisation programme before progressing to a full workload in a hot environment.
Take time to take care of your safety and health! Use the figure below for your training:
Refer to the WSH Guidelines on Managing Heat Stress in the Workplace for more information on heat stress and its prevention.
Download the Heat Stress Prevention poster and the Heat Stroke card from the WSH Council’s website and share them with your workers
Use this video to remind your workers to stay hydrated when working in a hot environment.
1“Singapore experienced eighth warmest year in 2018, December was second hottest year end in history”, The Straits Times, Singapore (15 Jan 2019)
2“2019 poised to be really hot year”, The Straits Times, Singapore (22 Mar 2019)
Workshops
MOM-TARIPH Joint Symposium: “Lung Health in the Occupational Setting: Prevention, Protection and Promotion”
| Date: | 10 May 2019 (Friday) |
| Time: | 11:00am – 4:15pm |
| Venue: | Lecture Theatre Toh Kian Chui Annex, Level 1, Novena Campus, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, 11 Mandalay Road Singapore 308232 |
This symposium aims to raise awareness of occupational lung diseases and its effects on workers in the occupational setting. The symposium will also be a platform for clinical and environmental and workplace safety and health professionals to network and discuss on various related issues.
Get more information here
Engineering Safety in Lorry Crane Operations Workshop
| Date: | 10 May 2019 (Friday) |
| Time: | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Venue: | SISO Academy 167 Jalan Bukit Merah #02-13, Connection 1 Tower 5, Singapore 150167 |
Learn of a crane operator‘s role from a different perspective through a hands-on experience and understand the legal requirements of lifting personnel in lifting operations.
Get more information here
Workplace Safety and Health (Safety) Committee Training Course
| Date: | 15 – 17 May 2019 |
| Time: | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Venue: | SISO Academy 167 Jalan Bukit Merah #02-13, Connection 1 Tower 5, Singapore 150167 |
Participants will acquire the skills and knowledge required to perform and discharge their responsibilities as safety committee members and contribute effectively to the improvement of WSH in the workplace.
Get more information here