NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council

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NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
JULY 2018

S A F E T Y      +   H E A L T H   I N V O L V E S   E V E R Y O N E

02          NATIONAL WSH
            CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE
            TIME TO TAKE CARE      05      GOOD PRACTICES TO
                                           PREVENT VEHICULAR
                                           INCIDENTS           08      MAKING WORKPLACES
                                                                       EASIER, SAFER AND
                                                                       SMARTER THROUGH
                                                                       TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
2       STRATEGIC STRIDES

                                            NATIONAL WSH
                                            CAMPAIGN 2018:
                                            TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE
                                            Organised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and
The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH)       supported by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union
Council was established on 1 April          Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF),
2008 to raise the workplace safety
and health standards in Singapore. The      the annual National WSH Campaign sets the stage for the WSH Council’s
Council comprises 18 leaders from the       year-long outreach efforts to promote safety and health in workplaces.
major industry sectors, the Government,
unions and professionals from the
                                            Launched on 22 April 2018 at Our Tampines Hub, the WSH Council also
legal, insurance and academic fields.       celebrated its 10th anniversary in conjunction with the National
The Council's key thrusts are to build      WSH Campaign.
industry capabilities to better manage
WSH, to promote safety and health
at work, to recognise companies with        The WSH Council is continuing the momentum of the Vision Zero movement
good WSH records and to set acceptable      with the message, “Prevent all injuries. Go home safe and healthy”. The
WSH practices. There are seven industry
committees focusing on the areas of         message aims to drive home the importance of taking preventive action as
construction and landscaping, healthcare,   injuries at work not only affect you, but also the people around you.
logistics and transport, marine works,
chemical, metalworking, manufacturing
and hospitality and entertainment.          Guest-of-Honour, Mrs Josephine Teo, then Minister for Prime Minister's Office and Second
Three functional committees have also       Minister for Manpower, noted the achievements of the WSH Council in its outreach and
been formed to identify, champion and
implement initiatives in the areas of       capability efforts in the past decade. These include bringing on board nearly 30,000
engagement and outreach, workplace          companies on the bizSAFE programme and providing WSH training for over two million
health and industry capability building.    workers. She added that the collective efforts of all stakeholders have helped reduce
                                            Singapore’s workplace fatality rate to a historic low of 1.2 per 100,000 workers in 2017.

  SHINE is a quarterly newsletter on
  workplace safety and health issues.

  For contributions, feedback or more
       information, please email
         WSHC_SHINE@wshc.sg

             PUBLISHER
  Workplace Safety and Health Council

               ADDRESS
        1500 Bendemeer Road,
      #04-01 MOM Services Centre
           Singapore 339946

   No part of this publication may be
 reproduced or transmitted in any form
            or by any means
 without the prior written permission of
             the publisher.
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
STRATEGIC STRIDES             3

Minister Teo also highlighted two key challenges for WSH –             Reminding All to “Take Time to Take Care”
to sustain the momentum for the reduction of fatalities at
workplaces and to put a focus on health as half of workforce           Mr John Ng, Chairman of WSH Council, pointed out in 2017,
fatalities in recent years were due to ill health.                     42 workers did not make it home to their loved ones while at
                                                                       least 13,000 others suffered from various work-related injuries
Helping More Workers Through                                           and diseases. For this year's National WSH Campaign, Mr Ng
                                                                       reminded everyone to take time to take care of their safety and
the Total WSH Framework                                                health.
Hence, the WSH Council will be partnering the Health Promotion
Board (HPB) to improve health at workplaces. “In particular,           “As the saying goes: Time is always of the essence. At work, we
we aim to help our workers detect chronic conditions such as           are given deadlines to meet. When we rush to get tasks done as
diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and to manage         quickly as possible, it becomes dangerous as we might not pay
them early,” shared Minister Teo.                                      attention as closely as we should. We forget to take time to take
                                                                       care of the most important thing – which is ourselves and those
She introduced the Total WSH Framework, a collaboration                around us,” said Mr Ng.
between the WSH Council and HPB to raise awareness on Total
WSH to up to one million workers.                                      He stressed the need to instil WSH-consciousness in the
                                                                       workforce and press on with Vision Zero efforts so that every
About 500,000 workers will have access to Total WSH services           worker goes home safe and healthy.
over the next three years. This will be done through more Total
WSH services centres, training of Total WSH professionals from         The WSH Council’s outreach efforts will also focus on four
designated workplace doctors to occupational health nurses, and        areas – vehicular safety, falls prevention, machinery safety, and
customised services to address health issues. Access to health         workplace health. “According to last year’s WSH statistics, the top
screenings will also be provided for five targeted sectors, namely     three causes of fatal work accidents were related to vehicular
transport and storage, construction, manufacturing, food and           incidents, falls, and machinery incidents. There was also an
beverage and cleaning. The initiative will identify at-risk workers,   increase in the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
or those who health markers are a cause for concern, and help at       and noise-induced deafness,” said Mr Ng.
least 20% of them achieve significant health improvements after
a year of intervention.                                                He urged all to work together to ensure that everyone can go
                                                                       home safe and health at the end of every work day.
“Hopefully, this will also reduce the safety lapses related to poor
health. This will benefit not just the workers, but also employers,"
said Minister Teo.

                                                                                                                      Pictured from left to right:
                                                                                                                      Mr Ong Hwee Liang,
                                                                                                                      Member, NTUC Central
                                                                                                                      Committee and Vice-
                                                                                                                      Chairman of NTUC WSH
                                                                                                                      Committee, Mr Sam Tan,
                                                                                                                      then Minister of State for
                                                                                                                      Manpower and Foreign
                                                                                                                      Affairs, Mrs Josephine
                                                                                                                      Teo, then Minister for
                                                                                                                      Prime Minister’s Office
                                                                                                                      and Second Minister for
                                                                                                                      Manpower, Mr John Ng,
                                                                                                                      Chairman, WSH Council
                                                                                                                      and Dr Lim Suet Wun,
                                                                                                                      Honorary Secretary, SNEF.
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
4      STRATEGIC STRIDES

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE                                              Safety Starts with Me
                                                                       Competition 2018 Showcase
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018!
The launch event also featured a carnival where the public learnt      Riding on 2018’s theme “Prevention of Hand Injuries at
about safety and health through various games and activities.          Workplaces”, the annual competition aims to raise WSH
The WSH Council will also embark on various outreach efforts to        awareness by encouraging the community to showcase their
encourage the industry and public to be safe and healthy at work.      creativity in spreading the WSH message. A total of 1,285
                                                                       entries were received in four categories comprising creative
Take Time to Take Care                                                 story writing, creative photography, poster drawing as well as
                                                                       animation and short film, with 40 winners walking away with
To highlight the importance of taking time to take care of our         attractive cash prizes.
safety and health, the Campaign will promote the use of the
mnemonic action of tapping on the wrist or watch to symbolise
“time”. A short film has been produced to illustrate how the
concept of “Take Time to Take Care” is relevant in any work and
drive the message of taking time to take care of ourselves at
work. View it at https://youtu.be/uV1_VonUV3Q

                                                                       Roving Exhibits on WSH
                                                                       Companies can also tap on the WSH Council’s roving exhibits for
                                                                       their in-house WSH campaigns to help employees understand and
Mannequin Challenge                                                    address common workplace hazards.
The WSH Council’s mannequin challenge aims to demonstrate the
importance of taking time to think of one’s safety and health and      National WSH Campaign Banner 2018
remind all to think about what they should do to prevent injuries      Companies are encouraged to display the WSH Council’s WSH
and ill health at work. The mannequin challenge involves people        banner at their workplaces to support the Campaign and remind
freezing in the middle of doing an activity, as if time has stopped.   workers to stay safe and healthy.
Companies are encouraged to conduct their own mannequin
challenge and post it on their social media pages in support of
the Campaign.

Click to watch WSH Council’s Corporate Mannequin Challenge:
goo.gl/vmYpMg

                                                                       For more information, go to www.wshc.sg/nationalcampaigns
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
FEATURE         5

GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT
VEHICULAR INCIDENTS
Do you know that vehicular incidents were the top
contributor (14 cases) of workplace fatalities in 2017?
Half of them were incidents within worksites, while the
other half were on public roads. Vehicular incidents are
also one of the top incident types in the first quarter of
2018. Two workers lost their lives while
20 workers sustained major injuries.

Workplace safety and health is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are an employer or employee,
it is important that you take time to take care of your safety and health.

Here are some good practices to adopt to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

                          Fatigue Management                                                   Driver Ergonomics
                          • Encourage drivers to take short                                    • Remind drivers to stretch their bodies
                            and scheduled breaks to relieve                                      at regular intervals; and
                            fatigue due to monotony                                            • Encourage drivers to adopt good
                            of driving;                                                          seating (e.g.,sit up straight and avoid
                          • Provide adequate facilities for                                      slouching) and driving (e.g., adjust
                            breaks or rest; and                                                  seat and steering wheel) postures.
                          • Plan shift schedule ahead of time
                            and communicate to drivers.

                          Safe Parking                                                         Driver Visibility
                          • Remind drivers to park on firm                                     • Adjust rear-view and side-view mirrors
                            and level ground;                                                    to maximise driver’s visibility;
                          • Ensure that parking brakes are                                     • When appropriate, drivers should
                            engaged, engines are turned off                                      take a quick look over the left or right
                            and starter keys removed;                                            shoulder to check for blind spots;
                          • For safe loading and unloading                                     • Remind drivers to use blind spot
                            operations, ensure that all                                          mirrors or blind spot cameras, where
                            stabilisers and/or wheel chocks                                      available, to enhance visibility; and
                            are properly positioned; and                                       • Appoint trained signallers or banksmen
                          • For parking on slopes, the gear                                      to assist in directing vehicles during
                            should be engaged, where                                             difficult manoeuvres such as when
                            appropriate and safe to do so.                                       negotiating a tight bend.

Every workplace injury and ill health is preventable,
and we can take a little time to take care of ourselves and others in the midst of our work.

For more tips on safe driving, go to https://bit.ly/2Li3vyN
For more information on workplace traffic safety management, go to www.wshc.sg/trafficsafetymanagement
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
6        EVENTS

PROBE PLUS FORUM 2018:
KEY WSH HOTSPOT AREAS
On 23 March 2018, over 500 industry leaders and stakeholders attended the annual Programme-Based
Engagement (ProBE) Plus Forum 2018 at the Singapore Expo Max Atria. Organised by the Ministry of Manpower
(MOM), Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and supported by the WSH Institute, the forum is an annual
event to raise industry awareness of key WSH areas and highlight efforts in partnership with industry to address
identified priority areas.

Group photo of Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Chiang Gnee, then WSH Council Chairman (centre) with Singapore              Mr Heng Chiang Gnee giving his speech at the forum.
Institution of Safety Officers volunteers, Mobile Work at Heights Clinic trainer, and 3M Technologies (S) Pte Ltd
representative.

Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Chiang Gnee,                        on measures to better manage worker and                Machinery Safety
then WSH Council Chairman, announced in                      traffic flow within their worksites. To help
his opening speech that vehicular incidents,                 more companies develop and implement                   Machinery-related incidents were the third-
falls and machinery incidents have been                      traffic management within their worksites,             leading cause of workplace fatalities;and
identified as this year’s three priority areas               MOM will expand the programme this year.               one of the leading causes of major injuries.
for ProBE Plus. These areas accounted for                    Mr Heng added that the WSH consultants will            A total of 125 amputation cases were
close to 70% of all fatal accidents in 2017.                 also share and demonstrate new technology              reported in 2017.
                                                             that companies can adopt to improve traffic
Mr Heng also highlighted the collaborative                   management at their worksites, and urged               Earlier this year, MOM and WSH Council
efforts of tripartite partners and various                   companies to sign up for the programme in              launched the national Safe Hands Campaign
stakeholders in helping Singapore achieve                    the second quarter of 2018.                            and organised a seminar to raise awareness
a fatality rate of 1.2 per 100,000 employed                                                                         of hand and finger injuries. A Machinery
persons in 2017. While the fatality rate of                  To address vehicular safety on public roads,           Safety programme will be developed later
1.2 was the lowest level ever recorded for                   WSH Council will also continue to organise             in the year to provide compliance assistance
the entire workforce, Mr Heng noted that it                  the “Drive Safe, Work Safe Campaign”                   to companies mainly in the construction and
still translated to losing 42 workers last year,             this year with the support of MOM and                  manufacturing industries where machinery
and urged all to step up efforts to reduce                   tripartite partners.                                   risks are prevalent.
WSH accidents. “We must believe that we
can prevent these fatal cases if we invest                   Falls Prevention                                       Integrating Safety and Health in
more time and attention to better manage
                                                                                                                    the Workplace
workplace hazards," he said.                                 Although the total number of fatal falls have
                                                             reduced by 37% from 19 in 2016 to 12 in                In addition to the three priority areas,
Vehicular Safety                                             2017, falls remain another leading cause of            Mr Heng also emphasised the need to
                                                             major injuries and were the second highest             better integrate workplace health and
While the number of vehicular-related                        contributor to workplace fatalities in 2017.           safety to enhance workers’ employability
fatalities has reduced by 36%, from 22 in                                                                           and well-being. In 2017, work-related
2016 to 14 in 2017, vehicular incidents                      MOM will thus expand the coverage of                   musculoskeletal disorders and noise-induced
remained the top contributor to workplace                    the Mobile Work at Heights programme to                deafness accounted for 83% of total
fatalities in 2017. Half of them were                        help companies implement work at heights               occupational diseases. Mr Heng shared
incidents within worksites, while the other                  safety precautions. The programme will                 that the WSH2028 Tripartite Strategy
half were on public roads.                                   also cover more areas such as structures,              Committee will be looking into ways to help
                                                             roofs, ladders, scaffolds and stairs and               companies detect and reduce both safety
Launched in 2017, the Managing Onsite                        provide compliance assistance to small                 and health risks.
Vehicular Safety (MOVes) programme                           and medium worksites.
involves WSH consultants guiding companies                                                                          For more information,
                                                                                                                    go to https://bit.ly/2wlGJCB
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
EVENTS          7

CALL FOR
                                                                 Here are four simple steps to conduct a mannequin challenge:

                                                                                STEP 1

CORPORATE                                                                       Find a space big enough to conduct a mannequin
                                                                                challenge with your employees, colleagues and
                                                                                members.

MANNEQUIN                                                                       STEP 2
                                                                                Gather and brief everyone on different types of

CHALLENGE                                                                       poses they can do e.g.;
                                                                                • “Take Time to Take Care” mnemonic action;
                                                                                • Drink water;
                                                                                • Stretching pose; and
Join the Corporate Mannequin Challenge!                                         • Get creative and include other poses that show
                                                                                  safe and healthy work practices too.
As part of this year’s National Workplace Safety and
Health (WSH) Campaign, the WSH Council is calling all
companies and associations to take part in the Corporate                        STEP 3
                                                                                Get it on video. Remember whatever your poses are,
Mannequin Challenge!
                                                                                don’t move! You are supposed to be frozen in action.
Remind yourself and your co-workers how it is important
to take time to take care of one’s safety and health,
even in the midst of work. Join the Challenge today!                            STEP 4
                                                                                Post the video on your corporate or association
For more information,                                                           Facebook page. Don’t forget to include the hashtag
                                                                                #NWSH2018.
go to www.wshc.sg/mannequinchallenge

SAFE YOUTH DAY 2018                                                                Cultivating a Culture of Safety
                                                                                   and Health Among Youths

                                             At the event, Mr S Thiagarajan, General         of young workers. About 120 youths from all
                                             Manager of WSH Council, highlighted the         three ITE campuses (ITE College Central, ITE
                                             importance of cultivating a mindset of          College East and ITE College West) and WSH
                                             prevention from an early age. Mr Silas Sng,     Council’s youth champions came together
                                             Deputy Divisional Director, Occupational        to learn about WSH through interactive
                                             Safety and Health Division, Ministry of         activities. They also participated in
                                             Manpower (pictured left), also shared his       brainstorming sessions on how schools can
                                             personal experience and emphasised the          nurture a culture of prevention and inculcate
                                             importance of taking responsibility to ensure   safety habits from young. The youths
                                             the safety of oneself and others.               also took on the Mannequin Challenge, in
                                                                                             support of the WSH Council’s “Take Time
                                             The event was held in conjunction with ILO’s    to Take Care” initiative to demonstrate the
According to International Labour            annual World Day for Safety and Health at       importance of taking time to take care of
Organization’s (ILO) estimates, young        Work (SafeDay), where this year’s campaign      one’s safety and health.
workers are 40% more likely to suffer        focuses on improving the safety and health
occupational injuries as compared to
adult workers. Besides the lack of work
experience, training and limited awareness
of work-related hazards, there are also
socio-biological factors that cause young
people to be more at risk.

To promote greater awareness of
workplace safety and health (WSH) among
youths, the WSH Council and Institute of
Technical Education (ITE), organised the
inaugural Safe Youth Day on 27 April 2018
at ITE College West.
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
8      FEATURE

MAKING WORKPLACES EASIER,
SAFER AND SMARTER THROUGH
TECHNOLOGY
Mr Samsudin Bin Ahmad, 67, is a factory worker for Alchemix, a
company that specialises in the manufacturing and distribution of cable
compounds. Mr Samsudin has filled, weighed, and stacked 20 to 25kg
bags of plastic pellets by hand every day for 15 years. Added up, these
come up to 3 tonnes a day, equivalent to the weight of a lorry.

But as Mr Samsudin aged, it became more difficult for him to perform
these physically challenging tasks. The repetitive manual handling work
also puts him at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. On top of
that, he faced the possibility of having to leave his job due to ill health.

The majority of Alchemix’s employees are over the age of 65. This fact
has prompted Mr Samsudin’s boss, Mr Maurice Alphonso,to realise that
his employees could perform their jobs more easily if the factory’s
machines were upgraded.                                                        Mr Samsudin Bin Ahmad demonstrating how to use the vacuum lifter to carry
                                                                               the 25kg bags.

Hence, with the help of WorkPro – an               They Keep Their Jobs                                Other employees at Alchemix also suggested
initiative by Workforce Singapore – three                                                              that they would rather work than retire.
new machines consisting of a vacuum lifter,        Older workers may find it difficult to
an automatic packing system, and an air            remain in the workforce as they become              “I have always worked for a better life for
filtering system were brought in last year         more susceptible to chronic diseases or             my family and will continue to do so as long
to assist Alchemix’s older workers in their        injury due to decreased physical capacity.          as I am capable. The company has helped
jobs and enable them to remain productive.         However,older workers can remain active             prolong my ability to do hard work by
                                                   at work through job redesign and reducing           investing in lifters, automatic packing and
It Makes the Job Easier and                        the physical demands of their jobs.                 air purifying systems to make the factory
                                                                                                       a less demanding and more healthy
Safer                                              “I have high blood pressure, diabetes               workplace,” said Mr Lau Sai Chow, 65,
For Mr Samsudin and his co-workers,                and my legs are not very strong anymore             Production Manager.
the new machines have made it easier               too. I also had a stroke recently and am
and safer for them to do their jobs. The           still recovering, but I still want to keep          Embrace It
automatic packing system meant that                working. I am thankful that the company
Mr Samsudin no longer has to pack and              still wants me to work for them too,” said          Mr Samsudin has a piece of advice for older
weigh the plastic pellets by hand. The new         Mr Samsudin.                                        workers who may be reluctant to adopt
vacuum lifter also enabled Mr Samsudin to                                                              new technologies: to embrace changing
lift heavy bags without any physical effort.       Since the new machines were installed, Mr           technology, not fear it.
                                                   Samsudin has not felt the strain that the
“I used to carry all the bags myself. I            physical work used to take on his body.             “I did not feel afraid [of losing my job].
even had to pack everything by hand                                                                    As an old person, when you are given the
and arrange them accordingly, and then             “Thanks to the machines, I don’t get tired          opportunity to work, you should, even with
carry the packed bags into the container           after a day’s work,” he said.                       the [new] machines,” said Mr Samsudin.
for transport. But now things are so much
                                                   Staying Active                                      This article is contributed
easier, the machines do the work for us,”
                                                                                                       by Workforce Singapore
said Mr Samsudin.                                                                                      and the Singapore National
                                                   Working gives older workers more than just
                                                                                                       Employers Federation.
Now he only needs to monitor the                   the means to support themselves and                 WorkPro is part of the
machines and to make sure everything               make a living; they also get the chance to          Transform and Grow
works smoothly.                                    stay active.                                        initiative. It aims to help
                                                                                                       employers implement
                                                   “By working, I am keeping myself fit. As an         progressive employment practices to make workplaces
The installation of the air filtering system                                                           easier, safer and smarter. For more information
also meant that the environment is now             old person, if you stay idle for too long, you      on the programme, please visit bit.ly/workpro_
safer and healthier for Mr Samsudin and            will have even more illnesses. So I think           shine or scan the QR code.
his co-workers as they are not required to         working is a much better option for me. On
wear protective masks anymore.                     top of that, I get money that I can save,”
                                                   said Mr Samsudin gleefully.
NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
ADVERTISEMENT              9

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                                               In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and
                                               Economic Growth, we strive to create a safe and healthy workplace for our employees
                                               and workers of our direct suppliers across CDL’s operations.

                                               Recognising that collaborative partnerships are key to driving sustainability, CDL built
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NATIONAL WSH CAMPAIGN 2018: TAKE TIME TO TAKE CARE GOOD PRACTICES TO PREVENT VEHICULAR - Workplace Safety and Health Council
10      ADVERTORIAL

                                ENHANCING COMPETENCIES
                                TOWARDS A SAFER WORKPLACE

To KTC Civil Engineering and Construction   needed for its workers to perform            and look into methods to raise the
Pte Ltd, workplace safety and health        their work safely. The Centre has eight      organisation’s WSH standards. The
(WSH) is a core value and key               different training facilities, including a   platform provided an opportunity for
consideration in all its work processes     state-of-the-art simulator for excavator     its project team members to learn
including decision making. It places        operators and articulated truck drivers      and apply good practices in their
importance in cultivating the right WSH     to enhance their skills in handling          projects, and helped strengthened the
mindset and attitude. As a believer that    various situations at work. The company      organisation’s WSH culture.
injuries and ill health are preventable,    plans to grade all the operatives, and
the company is committed to providing       compile a database to assess their           Committed to positive change and keep
a safe and healthy workplace and raising    competencies and facilitate continuous       the company moving forward, KTC strives
workers’ competencies. KTC also believes    improvement. A second in-house Safety        to adopt new technology to improve the
that leaders must “walk the talk” and       Training Centre was later set up in 2017     safety, health and well-being of
lead by example, such as conducting         to expand essential safety training for      its workers.
safety briefings to remind workers          its entire workforce, including all its
on the importance of WSH or taking          subcontractors.
additional steps to promote WSH.                                                         This is a sponsored profile.
                                            KTC also initiated the Annual Safety
In 2016, KTC set up its first in-house      Forum in 2016 for its project directors,
Safety Training Centre to equip and         managers, engineers and safety
enhance the knowledge and skills            personnel to share their WSH concerns
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                   As an industry leader, we will continue to enhance
             our Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) practices
               and be an exemplary corporate partner on HSSE matters.
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                    Address: 30 Cecil Street #11-08 Prudential Tower Singapore 049712
                    Website: www.stecs.com.sg             Email: general@stecs.com.sg

The company                                                      Our major projects

Established in 1996, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Singapore
(STEC) is a leading civil engineering and construction firm in
Singapore. Over the years, STEC has been entrusted by its
clients to construct several major civil projects in
Singapore. STEC believes that maintaining good Workplace
Safety, Health and Environment (WSHE) standards is key to
its company’s success.
                                                                 LTA T225 - Construction of Shenton       LTA T305 - Construction of Katong Park
                                                                 Way Station and its Associated Tunnels   Station and its Associated Tunnels
“We are a leader in WSHE and are proud that our efforts
have been recognised in the industry. We are committed
to strengthen our WSHE efforts and cultivate the right
WSHE attitudes among our employees and workers. We
aim to eliminate all workplace injuries and ensure a safe
working environment where everyone can go home
safely.”
                                           Mr Jin Aiping
                                   STEC Deputy Chairman
                                                                 LTA T310 - Construction of Bayshore      LTA T206 - Construction of Tunnels at
                                                                 Station and its Associated Tunnels       Woodlands
The awards won over the years are testament to STEC’s
commitment to WSHE. STEC is committed to play a big part
in Singapore’s infrastructure development in the years to
come.

Achievements
2017    LTA ASAC Safety Excellence Award & Champion - T225
        LTA ASAC Environment Excellence Award - T225             LTA DTL3 C923A - Construction of         LTA DTL1 C902 - Construction of the
        MOM WSH (SHARP) Award - T225                             tunnels between Tampines East and        underground Promenade Station
        BCA Construction Excellence Award - C920                 Upper Changi Stations

2016    Land Transport Excellence Award - C1688
        LTA ASAC Safety Excellence Award - T225
        LTA ASAC Environment Excellence Award - T225
        MOM WSH (SHARP) Award - T206 & T225

2015    LTA ASAC Best WSHO Award– C1688
        LTA ASAC Accident Free Award - C1688
        LTA ASAC Safety Excellence Award - C1688                 Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort       PUB DTSS T-01 - Deep Tunnel Sewerage
        MOM WSH (SHARP) Award - C920, C1688 & T206               Development P8402                        System-Changi Tunnel
14        CASE FILE

  Case #1                          WORKER DIES AFTER GETTING CAUGHT IN AN INDUSTRIAL COOKING MIXER

                                                     The Accused:                                       be near the machine, with the mixing shaft still
                                                     Teck Neo Pineapple Tarts Pte Ltd                   rotating, in order to scoop out the processed
                                                                                                        ingredients.This increased the likelihood of
                                                     Employer Fined for Failure to Ensure Safety        their clothing or items getting entangled
                                                     When processing the ingredients for the chilli     with the rotating mixing shaft.By identifying
                                                     paste, the machine is switched on with the         employee exposure to entanglement, heat-
                                                     mixing shaft rotating to prevent overheating       related and electrical risks, proper safe work
                                                     of the ingredients. The machine operator then      procedures could have been established for
                                                     scrapes the ingredients off the sides of the       employees to carry out the work safely.
                                                     mixing bowl while the gas burner is heating
                                                     the ingredients. The operator will scoop out       The accused company also failed to provide
Post accident photograph of emergency stop button    the processed ingredients after switching off      engineering controls (e.g., fencing or guards)
installed and fabricated fencing above mixer bowl.   the gas burner. However, the mixing shaft will     to reduce the risks of entanglement. There
                                                     continue to rotate during the scooping process.    was also no emergency stop button installed
Case Brief:                                                                                             at an accessible location for the operator to
On 15 August 2016, the deceased was                  Investigations revealed that the accused           deactivate in the event of an emergency.
preparing chilli paste using an industrial gas-      company failed to conduct a risk assessment
heated cooking mixer when her clothing got           and establish safe work procedures for the         For failing to ensure a safe work environment,
caught by the rotating mixing shaft of the           work carried out. Although the accused             the accused company was fined $80,000 under
machine. Her body heaved across the machine          company had instructed its employees not to        the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
and became trapped against the heated                stand too close to the machine due to the heat,
surface of the mixer bowl of the machine.            it was insufficient. Employees would have to

  Case #2                          WORKER DIES AFTER FALLING FROM LADDER

                                                     in height and two step ladders were used to        manpower when required. However, these
                                                     execute the job. After completing the chemical     SWPs were inadequate in reducing the risk of
                                                     wash, both workers attempted to re-install the     workers falling from height.
                                                     cassette unit back onto the ceiling.
                                                                                                        Instead of daily reminders to workers (Point
                                                     They ascended their respective A-frame             (i)), there should be instructions to describe
                                                     ladders while holding onto separate ends of        the steps to perform the activity and its sub-
                                                     the cassette unit. To balance the cassette unit,   activities. The implementation of a buddy
                                                     they had to coordinate their movements to          system so that another worker can hold onto
                                                     ensure that they were both at the same step        the ladder while the other is using it (Point (ii))
                                                     of their respective ladders. The deceased was      was ineffective as the weight of the cassette
                                                     in charge of giving thecommand to take a step      unit was about 15kg. Thus, it would not be
                                                     up the ladder. At the 6th step of the ladder       possible for one worker to transport it up and
Photograph of lifter.                                (about 1.47m above the ground), the co-            down the ladder.
                                                     worker heard a cry and saw the deceased fall
Case Brief:                                          from the ladder.                                   The accused’s work procedure for transporting
On 23 August 2016, the deceased fell                                                                    the cassette unit up and down the ladder does
from an A-frame ladder while servicing               Investigations revealed that the accused failed    not allow workers to maintain three points of
the air-conditioning system of a                     to conduct risk assessment on the installation,    contact with a ladder and is thus hazardous.
residential unit. The deceased was sent              repair and service of air-conditioning work and    Even if additional manpower was deployed
to the hospital but passed away on 31                implement risk control measures to reduce the      to hold onto the respective ladders while the
August 2016 due to head injuries.                    foreseeable hazards and risks of electrocution     workers were on them (Point (iii)), it would
                                                     or falling from height.                            not have reduced their risk of falling. The
The Accused:                                                                                            accused could have provided workers with a
Sole proprietor of Cool One Service                  The accused had implemented safe work              lifter instead to transport the cassette unit. By
                                                     procedures (SWPs) for working at heights,          using a lifter, workers can maintain 3 points
Employer Fined for Failure to Ensure Safety          which consisted of: (i) reminding workers to be    of contact while they ascend and descend the
On the day of the accident, the deceased and         careful when working on ladder before tasks        ladders, thus reducing the risk of falling.
his co-worker were carrying out servicing            were assigned daily, (ii) adopting a buddy
and chemical washing works to the cassette           system so that one of them can hold onto           For failing to ensure a safe work environment,
air-conditioning unit installed onto the ceiling     the ladder while the other is using it and (iii)   the accused was fined $50,000 under the
of the premises. The ceiling was about 3.3m          giving workers the liberty to ask for additional   Workplace Safety and Health Act.
WHAT'S NEW            15

           New                                            Resources
           The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council has issued the following new publications. To view
           them, go to www.wshc.sg/resources

             Guide to
             Safe Riding
                                                        Guide to Safe Riding on Motorcycles, Bicycles, Power-assisted Bicycles and Personal
             on Motorcycles, Bicycles, Power-Assisted
             Bicycles and Personal Mobility Devices
                                                        Mobility Devices
                                                        The demand for delivery services is increasingly met by bicycles, power-assisted bicycles (PABs)
                                                        and personal mobility devices (PMDs) in recent years as they offer flexible and cost-effective
                                                        alternatives for businesses. With more bicycles, PABs and PMDs used for work, it is important
                                                        that companies take steps to ensure the safe use of these devices for their riders. This publication
                                                        helps companies and riders identify the hazards riders face and suggests measures to reduce the
                                                        WSH risks associated with the hazards identified.

                                                        Download it at https://bit.ly/2IOECfF

              Guide to
                                                        Guide to Effective Toolbox Meeting
              EFFECTIVE TOOLBOX
              MEETING                                   Toolbox meetings are an effective way to communicate with workers on the importance of safety.
              施工前安全会议指南
                                                        This guide aims to provide companies with a clear and systematic format to conduct toolbox
                                                        meetings effectively. Companies are encouraged to use this guide in conjunction with the Toolbox
                                                        Meeting Aid for a more productive toolbox talk.

                                                        Download it at https://bit.ly/2IrLBf1

The Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Conference is back!
We are in the midst of dynamic transformation. Technological innovations, shifting economic
demands and changes in consumer patterns are radically changing our workplaces and the
way we work. To stay ahead of this tidal wave of changes, it is even more important for us
to raise workplace safety and health (WSH) capabilities to keep our workforce healthy and
workplaces safe.

Join us at Singapore WSH Conference on 29 and 30 Aug 2018 to exchange ideas and solutions
on how we can protect our workforce and keep our workplaces safe and healthy.

Conference Price
   1-Day Conference Pass                                    2-Day Conference Pass                Group Discount 2-Day Conference Pass

   S$680 per participant                                    S$1,050 per participant              S$850       per participant
                                                                                                 *For 4 participants or more

   Register Now!
For more information on the Conference, visit
www.singaporewshconference.sg
or email the Conference Secretariat at                                                 Organisers
secretariat@singaporewshconference.sg
16   FEATURE
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