Workplace Safety & Health Council

articleissues
context = September 2008
unreferenced = September 2008
wikify = September 2008

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council was formed on 1 April 2008. This is a step-up from its precursor the WSH Advisory Committee (WSHAC) which was formed in September 2005. The Council has statutory powers and more muscle to lead and partner the industry in engagement and capability building efforts.

ProBE was launched by the Ministry of Manpower in 2006 to raise standards in areas with poor safety and health records. It is one of the key initiatives adopted to halve the occupational fatality rate of 4.9 per 100,000 workers by 2015. The aim of this initiative is to engage the industries in partnership for the purpose of raising workplace safety and health competencies and awareness.

The WSH Council fully supports this effort by engaging and preparing the industry through various outreach events, info-toolkits, and other forms of compliance assistance during the Industry Engagement Phase before the MOM Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate starts with inspections during the Operations Phase.

Various Phases of ProBE

1. Intel Phase

The WSH Council and MOM carry out analysis of accident data to determine trends and major hazards of the industry, and identify priority areas for discussion and improvement. In addition, visits are carried out to further identify hazards and solutions. A list of potential targets for the ProBE is then prepared.

2. Industry Engagement Phase

The industry is actively engaged in this phase through seminars, mails, OSH Alerts, compliance assistance toolkits, technical advisories and checklists. Focused workshops are conducted to share pertinent WSH information and accident cases. Key WSH hazards of the industry are identified and control action plans developed for sharing.

3. Operation Phase

MOM OSHD carries out inspections on companies identified in Phase 1 to assess implementation of adequate risk management programmes and control measures.

4. Monitoring

In this phase, the ProBE results are monitored and reviewed by the WSH Council and MOM to assess its effectiveness. Information is shared as and when necessary.

5. Closure and Communication

The WSH Council and MOM communicate and publish key outcomes and findings to the industry. Success stories and good practices identified in the ProBE are shared through various communication channel such as the MOM and WSH Council websites, OSH Alert and SHINE Newsletter.