Through the WSH Advocate Programme, the companies will play a role in determining contracts to SMEs’ based on their WSH practices.
Eighteen major service buyers will play the role of advocate through a programme to influence contractors and SMEs in advancing their workplace safety and health (WSH) to secure contracts.
The WSH Council launched the WSH Advocate Programme on 11 September 2024 at the WSH Conference.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said the programme aims to give contractors that are safer more business opportunities.
As part of the programme, the 18 companies will play the following roles to advance SMEs’ WSH standards:
The 18 companies will be the first batch of advocates from the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.
WSH Council Chairman Abu Bakar Mohd Nor said these companies are industry leaders with significant supply chains and outreach.
He added: “We trust more SMEs would see the business advantage of investing in WSH, as it would enhance their working processes, productivity and help them foster stronger relationships with their respective WSH Advocates.
Mr Abu Bakar hopes to see more WSH advocates in more industries.
“We can then have a more pervasive culture of WSH excellence, thereby promoting a safer and healthier working environment for all,” he said.
Dr Tan said that while Singapore achieved a good safety record in 2023 with a low fatal injury rate of below 1 per 100,000 workers, the record does not mean “we have arrived”.
“Sustaining this level of WSH performance will require our continued commitment and focus,” Dr Tan said.
The public sector had earlier taken the lead in awarding contracts to contractors with good safety records.
In April this year, WSH requirements for public sector projects were streamlined for tenderers to emphasise safety.
The tenderers would then have a better chance of clinching Government contracts.
Tenderers refer to companies that tender or bid on a contract.
Through the WSH Advocate Programme, companies will be catalysts for progressive WSH practices in the private sector, said Dr Tan.
Twelve of the 18 advocates in the programme are unionised companies.
The 12 companies are:
“We are glad that these unionised companies have stepped up to set the industry example to actively work with partners and enhance their respective sectors’ WSH capabilities,” said NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong.
Mr Yong made a similar suggestion in Parliament in 2022 – for developers and main contractors in the construction sector to be held jointly liable for poor WSH practices of sub-contractors working on their sites.
“I’m happy that MOM and WSHC have adopted my suggestion, and I look forward to seeing the partners of the ‘queen bee’ be inspired and influenced to strive for WSH excellence to benefit their workers.
“NTUC will continue to work closely with MOM and WSHC to encourage employers to adopt good WSH practices and ensure that our workers’ safety comes first,” he said.