Implementation Costs of Workplace Safety Requirements
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Ministry of Manpower considers implementation costs or applies specific cost thresholds for workplace safety practices, as raised by Mr Yee Chia Hsing. Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say replied that while the regulatory framework is generally non-prescriptive, prescriptive measures for hazardous sectors are formulated through industry consultation to ensure they are practical and reasonably priced. He noted that the Ministry does not set fixed cost thresholds but provides support through the Workplace Safety and Health Council’s various resources and programmes. The Minister emphasized that safety measures are vital investments that prevent significant business losses and human suffering, rather than mere costs to be avoided. Consequently, the Ministry continues to work with tripartite partners to help companies fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities to maintain safe workplaces in reasonably practicable ways.
Transcript
58 Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry considers the cost of implementing various workplace safety practices when introducing them and whether there is a reasonable cost threshold beyond which the proposed practice is deemed too costly or impracticable.
Mr Lim Swee Say: The Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) generally adopts a non-prescriptive approach. In most circumstances, we do not spell out specific safety measures but allow companies the flexibility to adopt suitable methods according to their business needs to ensure safe workplaces.
For hazardous sectors and high-risk activities, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does stipulate prescriptive WSH measures for the relevant industries. This is to ensure that companies operating in dangerous environments adopt proper WSH measures as any incident can have serious consequences on their workers. In formulating such measures, we do not set cost thresholds, but consult with industry and trade associations to arrive at measures that are of reasonable cost and practical to implement.
We are cognisant of the cost implications to businesses when requiring them to provide a safe and healthy workplace. In this regard, the WSH Council has developed a wide range of WSH programmes and resources to assist companies. While cost of implementing WSH measures is unavoidable, companies need to recognise that any workplace accident can result in greater business losses and immeasurable human suffering to the victims and their families. Hence, WSH measures should be seen as investments rather than costs.
Companies have the moral and legal responsibilities to ensure the safety and health of their workers. MOM and WSH Council will continue to work with the tripartite partners and industry stakeholders to help our companies improve their workplace safety and health standards in reasonably practicable ways.