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Minister for Manpower, Mr Gan Kim Yong, launched “WSH 2018: a National Strategy for Workplace Safety and Health for Singapore” during the National WSH Campaign in April 2009. WSH 2018 will help Singapore work towards the challenge set by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for MOM and the industry-led Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC). The target, to bring down the national fatality rate to less than 1.8 per 100,000 workers by 2018, is to achieve one of the best safety records in the world.
The strategy to achieve sustained improvements in WSH performance
A national, strategic and long term approach is vital for Singapore to achieve sustained, continuous improvement in WSH standards. Towards attaining this objective, the WSH 2018 was co-drafted by the WSHC and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). WSH 2018 spells out the national vision, the strategic outcomes and strategies to achieve the 2018 vision. It aims to synergise the efforts and resources of all stakeholders to achieve the vision of "A safe and healthy workplace for everyone; and a country renowned for best practices in workplace safety and health".
The strategic outcomes are:
a) The reduction in WSH incident rates;
b) Workplace safety and health is an integral part of business;
c) Singapore is renowned as a Centre of Excellence for WSH; and
d) A progressive and pervasive WSH Culture.
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In order to achieve the strategic outcomes, the four identified strategies will help to guide the efforts of everyone, namely the government, industry stakeholders, employers, unions, workers, WSH professionals, professional and education institutions as well as service providers, in strengthening WSH improvements and drive the process towards safer and healthier workplaces.
Strategy 1 - Build strong capabilities to better manage WSH
Strong capabilities by stakeholders to manage WSH is an important aspect to raising their WSH performance. This strategy facilitates building strong capabilities where strong supporting institutions, including quality training providers, guide the identification and development of WSH competencies. Initiatives such as improving risk management capabilities, competency development and delivery, providing practical assistance to stakeholders as well as building a world class WSH institute.
Strategy 2 - Implement an effective regulatory framework
To complement capability building, it is important to establish and maintain an effective regulatory framework. Under this strategy, targeted interventions and enforcement actions will be developed based on industry trend and development. More emphasis will also be placed in creating industry ownership for WSH outcomes. In order to effect this strategy, initiatives such as strategic intervention, resolution of systemic lapses, extended enforcement reach and legislative review will be undertaken.
Strategy 3 – Promote benefits of WSH and recognise best practices
Competitive businesses understand that good WSH practices enhance business value by creating a good corporate image, cost savings in terms of higher productivity, and fewer disruptions to work due to the avoidance of accidents. This strategy promotes WSH benefits for employers to better understand the benefits of good WSH performance. In addition, this strategy seeks to recognise employers and workers who demonstrate good WSH practices and encourage them to share their experiences. Such sharing of best practices further encourages cross industry learning and facilitates an environment of continuous improvement. Initiatives under this strategy include outreach and education in WSH, recognition of WSH best practices, driving WSH improvements through large organisations, as well as creating a business case for the management of WSH.
Strategy 4 - Develop strong partnerships locally and internationally
Improving WSH performance requires the close partnership of all key stakeholders. This strategy builds such partnerships locally and internationally. To facilitate this, the strategy works on inter-agency and inter-industry collaboration, actively engaging renowned experts to critique on the development of WSH strategies and standards in Singapore, as well as international collaboration.
Click here to download WSH 2018.
Click here to download WSH 2018 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
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