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Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Singapore (RATIFICATION: 2012)

The Committee notes the detailed information supplied in the Government’s first report. It notes in particular with interest the extensive list of legislation and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) 2018 national strategy for workplace safety and health, which provide for a comprehensive national system for occupational safety and health (OSH). It also welcomes the commitment of the Government and the social partners to OSH issues and their efforts to develop a culture of prevention.

Article 2(2) of the Convention. Taking into account the principles set out in relevant ILO instruments. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the principles set out in the ILO instruments relevant to the promotional framework for OSH have been taken into account. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the manner in which it takes into account the principles set out in the instruments of the ILO relevant to the promotional framework for OSH (listed in the Annex of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006 (No. 197)).

Article 2(3). Measures that could be taken, in consultation with social partners, to ratify relevant OSH Conventions. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that the International Advisory Panel provides advice on improvements that can be made in order to bring the country’s OSH standards to the same levels as leading countries, but that no information is provided with regard to the possible ratification of relevant OSH Conventions. The Committee requests the Government to take appropriate steps so as to ensure that periodic consideration is given to measures that could be taken to ratify relevant ILO OSH Conventions, and to provide information on the consultations held in this respect during the period covered by the next report.

Article 4(3)(c). Provision of OSH training. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the WSH Council works closely with the Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower to improve OSH competency within the workforce through the WSH Professionals Workforce Skills Qualifications and WSH Trade Competency frameworks. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the provision of OSH training, particularly with regard to the content of the training and to whom this training is provided.

Article 4(3)(d). Occupational health services. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that OSH professionals, namely physicians and occupational hygienists provide services which include the monitoring, evaluation and control of occupational hazards, conducting medical examinations and managing work-related injuries and diseases. The Committee also notes that Total Workplace Safety and Health, an integrated approach to managing OSH, is being developed. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the manner in which occupational health services are provided, in practice, and to provide detailed information on the development and implementation of the Total Workplace Safety and Health approach.

Article 4(3)(g). Collaboration with relevant insurance and social security schemes. The Committee notes that the Work Injury Compensation Act requires employers to subscribe to compensation insurance for workers involved in manual labour and for non-manual labour workers who earn less than 1,600 Singapore dollars (SGD) monthly. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on relevant insurance or social security schemes for non-manual labour workers who earn more than SGD1,600 monthly.

Article 5(2)(b). Elimination or minimization of work-related hazards and risks. The Committee notes that, in addition to the WSH 2018 strategy which was developed to establish a progressive and pervasive safety and health culture, the Government indicates that it is developing strategies for the promotion of Vision Zero, a concept aimed towards the adoption of the mind-set that all injuries and ill-health arising from work are preventable and that cooperation is the key to prevention. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the concept of Vision Zero and its implementation in practice.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided on the application in practice of the Convention, particularly with regard to the WSH 2018 strategy. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice and to provide, where such statistics exist, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, and the number, nature and cause of accidents and cases of occupational disease reported.