Support for Smaller Firms to Achieve Workplace Safety and Health Accreditation
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of the WSH Advocate Programme and support for smaller firms to achieve Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) accreditation. Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about SME participation and assistance for resource-limited firms seeking bizSAFE Level 3 certification. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng reported that 37 WSH Advocates have benefited nearly 2,900 SMEs and highlighted the fully subsidized StartSAFE programme. He also cited the Productivity Solutions Grant for technology, Enhanced Training Support for higher subsidies, and WSH Council partnerships with SME Centres. These measures help SMEs identify risks and establish management processes to improve safety standards and meet accreditation requirements.
Transcript
46 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how many small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) contractors and sub-contractors have benefitted from the WSH Advocate Programme to date; and (b) what further support can be provided to help smaller firms with limited resources achieve WSH (Workplace Safety and Health) accreditation, such as BizSAFE Level 3.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Advocate Programme brings together major service buyers to champion WSH excellence among their extensive supply chains. This involves taking into consideration the safety records of firms during contract awards and helping to uplift their contractors' safety capability. As at September 2025, there were 37 WSH Advocates, whose initiatives have benefited close to 2,900 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their collective supply chains.
The Government adopts a multi-pronged approach to help SMEs achieve WSH accreditation, such as bizSAFE, which involves fulfilling requirements, such as completing risk management training courses, establishing systematic risk management processes and undergoing independent verification by an auditor. First, StartSAFE is a fully subsidised programme by the WSH Council to help SMEs identify and address WSH risks, with a view to obtaining bizSAFE accreditation. Second, there are government grants to support SMEs in capability building. These include the Productivity Solutions Grant for adopting WSH technology solutions, and the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs that provides higher subsidies for WSH training. Third, the WSH Council partners with SME Centres to guide SMEs in enhancing their WSH capabilities.
The Ministry of Manpower and our partners will continue to encourage SMEs to take advantage of these support measures and monitor their effectiveness.