Extend Mandatory Safety Review to All industries to Inculcate Safety First Culture in All Workplaces
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Melvin Yong Yik Chye’s inquiry regarding mandatory Safety Time Out (STO) compliance and its potential extension to all industries to promote a safety-first culture. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng clarified that the STO targeted high-risk sectors, with compliance checks ongoing since October 2022 to monitor adherence to safety review requirements. While the Ministry continues a targeted STO approach based on risk trends, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng emphasized that the STO checklist remains a relevant tool for all workplaces. Broad measures to improve safety culture include the Code of Practice on Chief Executives’ and Board of Directors’ Workplace Safety and Health duties, which applies across all industries. Furthermore, the Ministry has expanded the StartSAFE programme to provide all small and medium enterprises with greater support in strengthening their workplace safety and health processes.
Transcript
59 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how many companies in the relevant industries have failed to conduct the mandatory safety timeout as stipulated in September 2022; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider extending the mandatory safety review to all industries, including lower-risk sectors, to inculcate a safety first culture in all workplaces.
Dr Tan See Leng: As part of the measures for the Heightened Safety Period, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) required all companies in the construction, manufacturing, marine, process and transport and storage industries as well as companies in other industries that use heavy or industrial vehicles to conduct a mandatory Safety Time Out (STO). Companies are required to temporarily suspend their operations to review their safety procedures and complete the STO activities in the STO checklist. Industry associations are supportive of the STO and have helped to reinforce the importance of the STO to their members.
MOM had earlier extended the deadline for the mandatory STO to 30 September 2022 to provide the industries with more time to carry out a thorough review of their safety procedures. We have started compliance checks since 1 October 2022 and are tracking the number of companies that have failed to comply with the mandatory STO.
While MOM had adopted a targeted approach for the mandatory STO, taking into consideration recent workplace safety trends, the STO checklist is relevant to all industries. In addition to the STO, MOM has launched the Code of Practice on Chief Executives' and Board of Directors' Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) duties, which applies to companies in all industries. MOM has also expanded the StartSAFE programme to strengthen support for all small and medium enterprises who need help to improve their WSH practices and processes. We strongly encourage all company directors to set a safety-first culture in their workplaces, which will shape WSH practices on the ground.