SINGAPORE: Manpower Minister Tan See Leng on Monday launched a code of practice that spells out the duties of company CEOs and directors on workplace safety and health, as well as reinforces their accountability for accidents at work.
Speaking at the opening of the 2022 WSH Conference, Dr Tan said that Singapore's workplace safety and health performance got off to a"rocky start" this year.Most of these accidents were due to preventable safety lapses, such as inadequate control measures or the lack of adherence to safety procedures, said Dr Tan.
The first is to ensure that WSH is integrated into business decisions and there is clarity in the roles and responsibilities of CEOs and directors in leading workplace safety and health measures. "The COP aims to distil the management principles and practices of safe companies into actionable steps for others to adopt and adapt to their circumstances," Dr Tan said.
It will apply to companies in all industries, even those that have no manual work and little risk of physical injury. It also covers the mental well-being of workers."This means that in the event of a WSH Act offence, the courts can consider compliance to this approved COP in their judgment. Adhering to the approved COP’s principles can be a mitigating factor."