making the difference in safety - sisosiso.org.sg/images/magazines/siso-mag_issue-1-2012.pdf · 16...

MICA (P) 230/07/2011A PublICAtIon of the SIngAPore InStItutIon of SAfety offICerS

03 // Integrating WSH into Healthcare – Challenges for Workplace Safety & Health in Singapore General Hospital

05 // Alternate to the Acronym ‘PPE’ for a Safer Workplace

07 // The 30 Year Problem with BBSOs – Behaviour Based Safety Observations

01ISSuefIrSt

QuArter2012

Making the Difference in Safety

Safety Matters

38th Annual General Meeting16 Mar 2012 @ 6.30pm @ York Hotel(Open only to all paid-up members)

2. Issue 1/2012

President’s MessageContents

Our Advertisers04 MSAS.E.AsiaPteLtd06 UVEXSafetySingaporePteLtd08 King’sSafetywearLtd12 KBATrainingCentrePteLtd14 MesseDüsseldorfAsia PteLtd15 JubilantInternationalPteLtd17 CitiSafePteLtd18 Kimberly-ClarkSingapore PteLtd19 3MTechnologies(S)PteLtd21 DragerSafetyAsiaPteLtd25 QSSSafetyProducts(S) PteLtd27 PDSInternationalPteLtd32 JubilantInternationalPteLtd

OFFICE BEARERS 2010 – 2012PresidentEdwinYapSengWee [email protected] President SeetChohSan [email protected]. Secretary AndrewHSTan [email protected]. Asst Secretary SeahLiangBing [email protected]. Treasurer RogerBCLim [email protected])

02 President’sMessage03 IntegratingWSHintoHealthcare–

ChallengesforWorkplaceSafety&HealthinSingaporeGeneralHospital

05 AlternatetotheAcronym‘PPE’foraSaferWorkplace

07 The30YearProblemwithBBSOs–BehaviourBasedSafetyObservations

09 BackToSchool–MyPersonalExperience

10 NewsFromMinistryofManpower-ChangestoWSHLegislation

16 NewsfromWorkplaceSafetyandHealthCouncil(WSHC)–StrategiesforaChangingWSHLandscape

23 Snapshots@SISOCourses28 Report:WSHProfessionalToolkit

onWorkingSafelyatHeight TheSingaporeInstitutionofSafety

OfficersPrize29 Report:AnnualMembers’Nite

heldon6Jan2012@FuramaRiverfrontHotel

30 ScheduleofSISOCourses31 WelcomeNewMembers

AdvertisingWithUsFeedback/Comments

Mailing Address1010DoverRoad#03-01,Singapore139658

Contact NumbersOfficeTel :67775185Fax:67776896Email :[email protected] :www.siso.org.sg

OpeningHours:9am–6pm(Monday–Friday)Lunchtime :1pm–2pm

Committee Members:Government & International Affairs NiranjanArunMasurekar [email protected]

Membership & Activities [email protected] [email protected](co-opted)

Practices & CompetencyOngYongSeng [email protected](co-opted)PhyllisTeo(co-opted)

Professional Development (Events) [email protected] [email protected](co-opted)TanYenPing(co-opted)

Professional Development (Courses) [email protected] [email protected]

Executive ManagerJasonPhua [email protected]

Editorial Committee:OngPakShoon [email protected]

Ex-Officio:ChanYewKwongWorkplaceSafetyandHealthCouncilMinistryofManpower

Hon. Legal Advisor LeeKwokWeng

SISOisagreatprofessionalsocietythathasexistedformorethan37years.IthasgrownfromahandfulofSafetyOfficerstonearly1300membersin2011.Weareasocietygovernedbyitsmembers,foritsmembersandtheirprofession.

In2011,SISOexcelledinseveralofthefollowingareas;

InProfessionalDevelopment,wecontinueto enhance the Safety and Healthprofessionalskillsviaworkshopsandconductedseverallarge-scaleseminarsand conferences on Process Safety,inResearchandEducationandmanymore.Intotal,closeto2000participantsattendedourevents.

For Practice and Competence, weachievedabreakthroughwhichresultedinSISOhavingbeingappointedasProgramPartnerbyWorkforceDevelopmentAgency(WDA) toconduct theWorkforceSkillsQualificationWorkplaceSafetyandHealth(WSH) Professional Framework. ThisenablesSISOtocoachfutureWorkplaceSafetyandHealthOfficers(WSHOs)andmentorthemintheirWSHcareer.

For2012,ourmainchallengeswillbegettingSISOtobearecognizedContinuingEducation and TrainingCentre (CET)byWDAand to roll-out theCharteredmembershipprogram.

Wehave10dedicatedEx-Comemberswhohavevolunteeredtheirservicestomake2011asuccessfulyear. InMarchthis year,wewill be having our 38thAnnualGeneralMeetingandallpaid-upProfessionalMembersareeligibletovoteandelectnewleadersforthenexttwoyears.

Whileweunderstandthatnoteveryonecouldvolunteer theirservicesbecauseofotherpersonalcommitment,eachofuscanvoteandchoose leaderswhowouldbeable tomakeSISOabetterandgreatersociety,representingallWSHprofessionals.VotethisMarch!

3. Issue 1/2012

Integrating WSH into Healthcare – Challenges for Workplace Safety & Health in Singapore General Hospital

> continued on page 11

Introduction‘CarryingcoaltoNewcastle’wasanidiomusedtorefertoanarchetypalpointlessactivity,therebeingplentytherealready.WorkplacesafetyandhealthinHealthcarewasalittlelikecarryingcoaltoNewcastle.Afterall,theverypeoplewhotookcareofthehealthofpatientswouldcertainlybeabletotakecareofthemselves,no?Andwouldn’tanenvironmentthatwassafeforpatientsbealsosafeforstaff?Ironically,anexternalsurveyor forqualitypatientcarewhovisitedSGHin2011said,‘Iftheworkplaceissafeforstaff,thehospitalissafeforpatients’.

ThetaskofimplementingandsustainingaWSHmanagementprogram inSGHfelltotheSafetyNetwork,chairedbytheCOO.Everydepartmentandgroupofstaffhasavoice intheSafetyNetwork.ThemembershiprepresentationattheSafetyNetworkenablesreviewofWSHconcernsinrelationtodifferentprocesses inthehospitalandalsoensuresthattheinterestsofallstaffgroupsareaccountedfor.TheaddedbonusishavingaformalavenueofdisseminationofWSHcommunications.

Challenges for WSH in SGHQuality and WSH ManagementSGHcelebratedher190thbirthdayin2011,providingpatientcareservicessince1821.Throughout thehistoryof thehospital,focushasalwaysbeendeliveryofqualitypatientcare.In2008,whenhealthcarewasincludedasaregulatedworkplaceundertheWSHAct,themainchallengewastointroduceWSHmanagementactivitiesintoexistingpoliciesandpracticeswithminimal impactonhealthcarestaffandhospitaloperations.InSGH,SafetyNetworkreports to theManagementCommittee through theQuality&RiskManagementNetwork(QRMN). This creates a structure forWSHreportingtothetopmanagement.

In the QRMN’s Strategy Map, WSHobjectivespermeatedattheLearning&Growth,InternalProcessandCustomer/Stakeholderscategories.The inclusionofWSH into theQRMNplacesitonthesameplatformasreportingonpatient-carequalityandhospitalriskmanagement.

Game board at SGH

Patient registration desk

Safety Is Fun @ SGHInSGH, thepopularpracticeofshorttalks, gamesbooths, gift tokensandrefreshmentsarederigueurforlearningfairs.TheannualSafetyFaircontinueswiththetraditiontofitasseamlesslyaspossibleintotheculture.TheSafetyFairprogrammeconnectesWSHwithdailyactivitiesandworkvocabulary inSGH.Theobjectiveof theFair is toprovideseriouslearningwithoutpressure.

In2009,theChairmanofWSHCouncilHealthcareCommitteegracedtheopeningof the event and complimented theinnovative“fun&games”approachtocommunicateWSHissuesandencouragelearningofsafepractices.

Diversity in WorkplacesThereareover240workunits inSGH,eachwithitsdefinedworkplaceandvariedprocesses.Theorganisationcharthas4broadcategories,eachwithworkplacesrangingfromthesimplesttothecomplex.

Kam Wai KuenSenior Manager, Workplace Safety and HealthOffice of Safety Network, Singapore General [email protected]

5. Issue 1/2012

Alternate to the Acronym ‘PPE’ for a Safer Workplace

IntroductionPersonalprotectiveequipment (PPE)1refers toprotectiveclothing,helmets,goggles,orothergarmentorequipmentdesignedtoprotect thewearer’sbodyfrominjurybyblunt impacts,electricalhazards,heat,chemicals,andinfection,forjob-relatedoccupationalsafetyandhealthpurposes,and insports,martialarts,combat,etc.Theterms“protectivegear”and“protectiveclothing”areinmanycasesinterchangeable; “protectiveclothing”isapplied to traditional categoriesofclothing,and“gear”isamoregeneraltermandpreferablymeansuniquelyprotectivecategories, such as pads, guards,shields,masks,etc. Itemssuchasfireextinguishers,firstaidkitsareequipmenttosupportthepersonalprotectionofthesubject.Policeusehandcuffs, tasers,batonsandhandgunsasPPE.Theuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment is toreduceemployeeexposure tohazardswhen engineering and administrativecontrolsarenot feasibleoreffectivetoreducetheseriskstoacceptablelevels.

PersonalProtectiveEquipment2isanydeviceor applianceused toprotectpartsof thewearer’sbody topreventand/ortominimizetheseverityofhazardoccurrencesthatmayariseduringthecourseofwork.Thisincludesappliancesusedforpreventionofhead,eye,face,hearing, respiratory,body, foot,handandfinger injuries.OtherPPE includedevicessuchasafallarrestsystemoraflotationjacketwhichisabletopreventharm to all parts of the bodywhenexposed to thehazardof falling fromheightsorimmersedinwater.PPEtobeusedshallconformtotestingstandardsandappropriate for theworkathand.Wherepossible,PPEshouldconformtoSingaporeStandards.

PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE) isspecializedclothingorequipmentworntoprotect someoneagainstahazardincludinganinfectiousdisease.PPE3canrangefromFaceMasks,Pairofgloves,Gowns,Gogglesandacombinationofgearthatmightcoversomeorallofthebody.Personalprotectiveequipment(PPE)isbarrierprotection tobeusedbyanindividualtopreventdiseasetransmission.

Fatalitiesandinjuriesamongthenation’sworkersaresubstantially reducedwiththeuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)andtechnologies.Itisestimatedthat20millionworkers4usePPEonaregularbasistoprotectthemfromjobhazards.PPEprotectsworkers fromdeathanddisabling injuriesand illnessesaswellasprotectingfromthespecificthreatsofexposurestocertainairbornebiologicalparticles,chemicalagents,splashes,noiseexposures, fallhazards,headhazards,andfires. Improvementsandchangesinthepersonalprotectivetechnologiesarerealizedintheformofstandardsandregulations,revisionsandalterationstoexistingstandards,subsequentavailabilityofPPEcomplyingwiththestandardsandregulations,anddemonstrationsofPPEusebytheworkers.

Maintaining the health and safety ofworkersintheUnitedStatesandgloballyis accomplished in part by reducinghazardousexposures through theuseof personal protective equipment.Personalprotectivetechnologies (PPT)includerespiratorswornbyconstruction

workersandminers;protectiveclothing,respirators,andgloveswornbyfirefightersandminerescueworkers;andrespiratorsandprotectiveclothingwornbyhealthcareworkers.Anestimated5millionworkersare required towear respirators in1.3millionU.S.workplaces5.

In 18th century6 the firefighters didnothave theprotectivegearwehavetoday,theyusually foughtoutsidefromtheburningbuildingUsingthefeltcap,doesn’tprotect thefirefighters toheadinjuryHenryGratacapdevelopthefirehelmet in1836withapeak frontusetobreakglasswindows,Thishelmet isimmediatelyrecognizabletodayaslittlehaschanged in itsgeneralshape (FireDepartment),CityofNewYork.Overthepast20years,severaladvanceshavebeenmadeintheprotectiveclothingandequipmenttechnologyusedforstructuralfirefighting.Anumberoftheseadvanceshavebeendue to thedevelopmentofstandards for the fighter protectiveclothing.TheNationalFireProtectionAssociation(NFPA)firstdevelopedNFPA1971,StandardonProtectiveClothingforStructuralFireFighting,in1975.SincethentherehavebeenthreeeditionsofNFPA1971(developedapproximatelyonceeveryfiveyears)withthe latesteditiontobereleasedinearly1997eachnewsuccessiveeditionofNFPA1971hasprovidednewchallenges formaterialsandclothingdesigns.InternationalLabourOrganisation(ILO)CodeofPracticementions:Whereadequateprotectionagainsttheriskofaccidentor injury tohealth, includingexposuretoadverseconditions,cannotbe ensuredbyothermeans, suitablepersonal protective equipment1 andprotective clothing, having regard tothe typeofworkandrisks,shouldbeprovidedandmaintainedbytheemployer,withoutcosttotheworkers,asmaybeprescribedbynationallawsorregulations.PPE includeshelmets,gloves,boots,hi-vizclothing, eardefenders, gloves,goggles,workwear(egoveralls),harness,respiratorandwaterproofs,ifneeded.US-OSHA3151-12R2003providesaguidetounderstandthetype,selectionandproperuseofPersonalProtectiveEquipment


N. VenkataramanDeputy Director, EHSS Department, GlobalFoundries Singapore Pte Ltd. [email protected]

Lee Yam KwangSection Manager, EHSS Department, GlobalFoundries Singapore Pte [email protected]

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7. Issue 1/2012

The 30 Year Problem with BBSOs – Behaviour Based Safety Observations

Everyonehas theirownviewpointaboutBBSOs.Regardless,everyone wants to explain,argue or describe his or hermethods andmethodologiesas the best way forward forBBSOs.Often forgetting theintentandsomehowforgettingthatweareafterasaferworkingenvironment.

Therearecompaniesouttherethatploughandmarket theirmethodologiesandoftenconfuseandamusecustomerswiththeirso called “trademarked” or“copyrighted”approach.Ineverknewthat talkingtosomeonewastrademarked.Andthenthereareothersafetypractitionerswho,wanting to impress theiremployers,createadoityourselftemplatewithoutunderstandingtheentireprocess.

Thesemindsetsthatarecreatedadd to a growing frustrationamongclientsandemployers.Leadingpeople to think that everyone is justmuckingaroundbutwhenpushcomestoshovethesafetypractitioneralwaysadds–“Doyoureallywanttokillsomeone?”

Having the rightmindsetwill lead tocompanies and organizations havingpositivetransformationsratherthanrollingoutprogramsthatjustleadtofailuresandfrustrations.

What are the right mindsets?

Involved Companies OR forced to do thingsOne of the issues with the currentBehaviouralBasedSafetyObservationProgramsisthatconsultantsandtrainingorganizationsarequicktopointoutthatthecompanymustdothisthemselvesandthatteamsmustbeformedtodoBBSOs.Managementagreeswithconsultantsandtrainersandgetsvolunteers.Volunteersthatarenotreallyexperienced,andyetrefusetofollowinstructionsfromthetop.

Has the topmanagementasked if thevolunteersknowwhat theyaregettinginto?Dotheyknowwhattheywillneedtodo?Aretheymotivatedorpassionate?

Aretheyforchange?Whataretheirlevelsofcommitment?Dotheyreallycare?Arethesevolunteerssimplyworkingtowardsanendgoalbecause thebossessaidsoorare they reallypassionateaboutseeingthingschangeandhelpingtheirco-workers?

Therearealsotargetstobemet.Someareabouthowmanyobservationsanemployeemustdoperdayorperweek.Thepersonmaynotbe interestedbutBBSOsarepartofhisperformancereview.Will this leadtonegativeexperiences?Dopeoplethenstartsayingthatthis isjustanotherpaperexercise?Especiallythosethatdon’tknowtheWhyorarenotpassionate.

Forcing people to do things only means negative results or temporary resultsThisistrueforbigcompaniesandclientswhoexpecttheirsubcontractorstocomplytowhattheywant.TellingapathologicalcompanywhoonlycaresaboutgettingthejobdoneasfastaspossibletoimplementaBBSOprogramisawasteoftime.Timeandmoneywouldbebetterspendhiringanother contractor or (unfortunately)“policing”theirwork.

Too Gung HoMostBBSOprogramsexpectthepersonobservingtheworktoannouncetheirvisit,tostatethattheyareonlywatchingtheprocessandthat informationgainedwillnotbeusedagainsttheworkgroup.

YettherearepeoplewhodocarryoutBBSOsthatsimplydon’tseekanypermissiontoconducttheseObservations.Theyaremorethanwillingtowatch fromafarand recordthefindings.Theyalsodon’tcorrectanybehaviorthatneedstobecorrectedorevenspeaktotheperson.

Theybelieve thatobservingpeopleperformwork fromadistance gives thema truereflectionofwhatistrulygoingon.Wouldyoulikeitifsomeonewasspyingonyou?

Thistypeofapproach leadstoan“USversesThem”attitudeandfrustrationswillgrow.

Thebestandmosteffectivewayissimplytoexplainhowtheobservationwillbecarriedout, tell thepersontocarryonashe/shewouldiftheobserverwasnothere,seekpermissionandafterworkiscomplete–discusswiththepersonhowbettertodothejobencouragingthemtogiveoptionsandopinionsonhowtodotheworksafer.Atthesametimelearningwhyitwasnotdoneinthefirstplace.TheBBSOprovidesaresourcetounderstandiftherearerepeatworkswiththesamesituationsandissues.

BBSO used to punishWhilesomepeopleareusingBBSOsforthecorrectreasons,therewillbeothersthatwish tospotpeopleworkingand“catch” themdoing thewrong things.Penalizingpeoplewhomakemistakes.SomepeoplehavereceiveddisciplinaryactionsafterBBSOshavebeenrecordedbutmaynothaveevenbeenadvisedoreducatedonhowtotheworkinabetterandsafermanner.


Raj SinghCEO Safety @ Work Consultancy Pte Ltd [email protected]

9. Issue 1/2012

Back To School – My Personal Experience


“We’restillparentsofastudent.”

Thewordsutteredbymyseventy-plusmotheroverphoneaboutthreeyearsagohassincearousedandamusedmewhenIwasbacktoschoolafteralongperiodofinterruptionsincecompletionofthefirstdegreebackhome.

TheNationalUniversityofSingapore(NUS)becametheseconduniversityformetopursuefurtherstudyintheareaofsafety,healthandenvironmentaltechnologytowhichmypresentprofession isdirectlyrelated.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”isaquotementionedbyWilliamButlerYeats,Irishauthorandpoet.Itservesasanethicalguidetoanyonewhowishestowidenhisorherknowledgeatthejobsoastomanagethetasksefficientlywithsharpacumenandskillsnurturedthroughout the study.Furthermore, itshedsbrightlightconstantlyonthepathofhisorherwholelifeandenhancesthepersonalstatus insociety.Ofcourse,

itaddsvaluetotheorganizationorthecountryheorshedwellsat.

Itwasnotameanfeatforanadult likemetobebacktoschoolforhavinggonethroughasubstantialtimeatoddhours.Thecampusstudyrequiredmetospendthreehoursfrom6pmto9pmalmosteveryeveningwithotherfellowstudentsinthe

U Chit Ko PeSenior Workplace Safety and Health OfficerStraits Construction Singapore Pte [email protected]

classroom.Theeveningswithoutclasseswerespared forprivatestudysuchaspreparationofprojectsand reportsatthecampuseither individuallyoronagroupbasis.SomeweekendsdidnotallowmetorelaxasItriedtocompletetheassignmentsontime.

Theclassesconsistedof20to42studentsdependingonthemodulestakenbythem,ofwhommanywereyoungwiththeage-rangeof22to30yearsfromAsiancountiesincludingSingapore.The largestgroupwasthoseyoungerfreshgraduatesfromoverseas.Ourclasswasaglobalonewithstudents from India,Bangladesh,Myanmar,Malaysia,Vietnam,Indonesia,NigeriaandPoland.Ibelongedtoasmallgroupofadult learnerswhowereWSHprofessionalsandengineersacrossallindustries.Wewereaffectionatelycalled“LCs”,acronymforLateComersasourindividualrespectiveworkcommitmentsdeterredustoreachtheeveningclassontime.Beinglateforhalfanhourorsobecameanormforuswhocametotheclassinhelter-skelter.

10. Issue 1/2012

News From Ministry of Manpower - Changes to WSH Legislation

ThefollowingsubsidiarylegislationsmadeundertheWorkplaceSafetyandHealthActweregazettedon9Sep2011andcameintoeffecton10Sep2011.

1. WSH (First Aid)(Amendment) Regulations 2011

2. W S H ( G e n e r a l P r o v i s i o n s )(Amendment) Regulations 2011

3. WSH (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011

4. WSH (Operat ion of Cranes) Regulations 2011

5. WSH (Scaffold) Regulations 2011

TheaboveRegulationspreviouslyonlycoveredlimitedclassesofworkplaces.InlinewiththeextensionoftheWSHActtocoverallworkplaceson1Sep2011,theywerereviewedforupdatesandalignmenttothenewregime.

About the Key Features of the NewRegulations1. WSH (First Aid)(Amendment)

Regulations 2011• Extendtoallworkplaces,except

forhospitalsandmedicalclinics• Remove t h e p re sc r i p t i v e

requirementsonthenumber,typeandcontentoffirstaidboxes

• Workplaces withmore than 25employedpersonsaretoappoint

onefirst-aiderforevery100personsemployed

2. W S H ( G e n e r a l P r o v i s i o n s )(Amendment) Regulations 2011• Extendtoallworkplaces• Allowthestatutory inspectionof

pressurevessels tobeextendedbeyonditsprescribedinterval

• Require warning labels andsafetydatasheets forhazardoussubstances to conform to anySingaporeStandardorothersuchstandards issuedorapprovedbytheWSHCouncil

• Reduceminimumage(from20to18yearsold)forpersonscarryingout examination, lubrication oradjustment of moving parts ofmachinerywhilethefencingorothersafeguardisremoved

3. WSH (Medical Examinations) Regulations 2011• Extendtoallworkplacesinwhich

personsareemployedinhazardousoccupations

• Assign duty-holders for theprovisionsonmedicalexaminationofsuchpersons

• Includeprovisionsonregistration,suspension and cancellation ofapprovalforDesignatedWorkplaceDoctor

4. WSH (Operat ion of Cranes) Regulations 2011• Extendtoallworkplaces• Require the establishment and

implementationof a liftingplanwhereanyliftingoperationinvolvingtheuseofanycraneiscarriedoutinaworkplace

• Enhance the duties of liftingpersonnel (ie.LiftingSupervisorandCraneOperator)

• Require lorrycraneoperators toattendtrainingcourseconductedbyaccredited trainingproviders.(Note:This requirementwillonlycomeintoeffecton1Sep2013)

5. WSH (Scaffold) Regulations 2011• Extendtoallworkplaces• Requireallmetalscaffoldstobe

type-testedbyarecognisedtestingbodyandcomplywithastandardorspecificationacceptabletotheCommissioner

• Assigndutiesontheprofessionalengineer to ensure that hedischarges his duty with duediligence

The subsidiary legislations can beaccessedviatheMOMwebsiteatwww.mom.gov.sg

UpdatingCompensationLimits •Limitsareincreasedtoaccountfortheincreaseinnominalwagesandhealthcarecostssince2008.

DisallowingCompensationforWork-RelatedFights

• Whileworkdisputesmayarisefromtimetotime,employeesshouldnotresorttofightstoresolvethem,andemployershouldnothavetobearthecost.

• Exceptionsareallowedsuchaswhenexercisingprivatedefence,instructedtobreakupfight,safeguardlife/propertyormaintainlawandorder.

ExpandingScopeofCompensableDiseases

• Diseaseduetoworkexposuretochemicalorbiologicalagentwillbecompensable.• SecondScheduleforOccupationalDiseaseswillberefinedtoinclude1newOD(diseasecausedby

excessiveheat),deleteSARSandAvianInfluenzaandbroadenscopeofexistingODs.

DisallowingWork-RelatedExclusionClauseinWICInsurancePolicies

• Insurerswillberequiredtopayeven if therearework-relatedexclusions.Theycanseparatelyseekrecoveryfromemployerviacontractualmeans.

ClarifyingLiabilityofEmployer’sInsurer

• Whentherearemultipleinsurancepolicies,employer’sinsurancewillbefirstusedtosatisfyaclaim.

ClarifyingObligationsunderWICAandCommonLaw

• ClaimantswhofiledacommonlawclaimbutsubsequentlywishtofileaclaimunderWICAhavetodowithinoneyearofaccident.Beyondthisoneyeartimeframe,theywillnotbeabletofileunderWICA.

Visit www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom for more information.

Parliamenthaspassedtheamendments to theWork InjuryCompensationAct(WICA).Thechangesaremadebasedontwokeyprinciples:

• Strikingafairbalancebetweencompensationforinjuredemployeesandtheobligationsplacedonemployers/insurers;and

• EnsuringthattheWICAframeworkremainsexpeditiousandemployeesareabletoreceivecompensationpromptly.

Thechangeswilltakeeffecton1Jun2012andthekeychangesare:

Changes to Work Injury Compensation Act (Effective 1 Jun 2012)

11. Issue 1/2012

a) Ca re De l i v e r y depa r tmen t sc omp r i s e a l l p a t i e n t c a r eworkplaces where patients arediagnosed and treated. Theseinc lude therapeut ic , medica land surgical procedures. Theworkplaces in thiscategory rangefromoutpatientclinicsequippedforsimpleconsultationstotheoperatingtheatresetupwithmodernsurgicalaidsandequipment.

b) Corporate Services departmentscomprisealladministrativeoffices,trainingclassroomsandthemedicalrecords libraries. This category isnotgenerallyvisitedbypatients. Inthiscategory,therearethestandardadministrativebuttherearealsothel ib ra r ies w i th the ex tens ivecompactus systems for housingmedicalrecords.

c) Operations departments provide

support to the hospital; ensuringmaterialsandservicesrequiredforallworkplaces are prepared anddel ivered in a t imely manner.Engineeringrepairworkshops, foodservices and the main store forhospi ta l suppl ies are in th iscategory.

d) Research&Educationdepartments

cater to thespecific researchandtechnicaltrainingneedsofhealthcare

andpatient-careprofessionals.Thiscategory comprise all the clinicalandbasic research laboratoriesaswellassimulationeducationfacilitiesforhealthcareprofessionalstraining.

Diversity in Work Processes & Associated HazardsTobestservetheneedsofpatientcareandcaredelivery,theprocessesinthehospitalarehighlyregulatedwithacomplexwebofintegrationandsupport.Thefollowingare threeexamples toshowtherangeof processes within each workplacein SGH. Despite the diversity in theworkplaces,generalprinciplesofWSHriskmanagementcanbeapplied.Forspecialisedareas, the subjectmatterexpert,i.e.theusercanprovideguidanceandadvice.a) At the Central Sterile Supplies,

equ ipment sets requ i red forprocedures at the inpatient andoutpatient wards are prepared.These require different levels ofdisinfectionsuitedfortheirpurpose,rangingfromsurfacedecontaminationto high level disinfection. Thefollowing are 2 examples of theprocessesinthatworkplace.

i) AttheCollection&DecontaminationStation,contaminatedinstrumentsthathadbeenusedaresortedandwashed.Sorting ismanualwhile


Full PPE worn while handing used instrument sets

washing isdonebothmanuallyandbymachine.

The hazards faced by the

worker include exposure tobiologicalhazardsoninstrumentscontaminatedwith body fluidsof infectiouspatients.Themosteffectivecontrolmeasureexercisedis the colour identification ofsuchinstruments;inaddition,fullpersonalprotectiveequipment iswornbytheworker.

ii) At thePackingStation,cleanedinstruments are packed forsterilisation.Each instrumentsetis packed according to a pre-determineditemslistinastandardwrappingmethod.

Handlingofthesharpinstrumentsposedariskofcutstoworkers.Wherever possible, disposablesharpsareusedtominimisethathazard.

Packingisperformedoverahigh

table that is suited forworkingwhilestanding.Tominimisefatigue,

< continued from page 3


13. Issue 1/2012



height-adjustablehighchairsareprovided as an alternative tostandingandanti-fatiguematsareplacedateachstation.

b) The SGH kitchen caters to thedietary needs of all in-patients inthehospital. Ina1600-bedhospitalwithanaverageoccupancyof80%,the kitchen prepares and deliversup to 3,800 meals dai ly. Theprocesses in the kitchen rangedfromcollection&storageofsupplies,foodpreparation,cookingandfoodservice.Thefollowingare2examplesoftheprocessesinthatworkplace.

i) Rawmaterialswerereceivedandstoredasquicklyaspossible tomaintain the rightconditions topreservefreshness.Atthatstation,the hazards faced by the staffincludedmusculoskeletaldisordersfrommanual handling such aslifting,stretchingandbending.Tominimiseinjury,morethanonestaffassisteachotheratthatpoint.Thematerialsreceivedarealsopackedinsmallerpackagestoreducetheweight.

ii) AttheCookingStations,foodthathadbeencutaresteamed,boiled,fried,blanchedandstewed.Themainhazardsarerelatedtofire,heatandhandlingcookingequipment.Controlmeasuresforcookingfiresaccidentarewellestablishedwiththefiresuppressionsystemsbuiltintothecookinghoods.

c) Patient-carewasthemainbusinessactivity in any hospital, with theprimary aimbeing todeliver safe,individualised,coordinatedandcosteffectivenursingcaretopatients

throughanorganisedsystemofcaredelivery.

One example of a regular activityin pat ient care is performingnon-invasive procedures such asbedbathing,oralcare,toiletbathetc.One of the prevalent r isks isincurringmusculoskeletaldisordersfrom patient handling. To reducetheseworkhazards,patienthandlingaids are employed. Educatingandenablingpatientstoaidintheirown transferarealso important inreducing the burden of theseactivitiestothehealthcareworkers.

CLOSING REMARKSSafetyisnostrangertoHealthcare,butthe focushas largelybeenonpatient

safety.WhenhealthcarewasincludedasaregulatedworkplaceintheWSHActin2008,theprogramtointegrateworkplacesafetyintoSGHincreasedinmomentum.ToensurevisibilityoftheWSHprogram,WSHisnowgiventhesameplatformforreporting to thehospitalManagementCommitteeaspatient-carequalityandhospitalriskmanagement,i.e.throughtheQualityandRiskManagementNetwork.In implementationofWSHactivities inthehospital,care isalso taken tousefamiliarvocabularyandpopularlyacceptedavenuesforstaffengagement.

Thehospitalisacomplexinstitutionwitha largenumberofdifferentworkplaces.Withineachworkplace,theprocessesandactivitiescanbeequallyvaried.ThecultureinSGHisstrongonlearningandcoachingandthecomplexhospitalenvironmentispopulatedbystaffwhoareexpertsintheirareaofservice.

Fromthehousekeeper,thealliedhealthprofessional,thenurse,thecheftotheclinicianandsurgeon,thereisawealthofinformationamongtheseexpertsanditisthatknowledgethatcanensurethesuccessorfailureofWSHprogramsintheworkplace.ThebiggestchallengetoWSHimplementationisfindingtherightexpertandaskingtherightquestions.

Demonstration of a mobile hoist used for patient transfer

The biggest challenge to WSH implementation is finding the right expert and asking the right questions.

16. Issue 1/2012

News from Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) –Strategies for a Changing WSH Landscape

The InternationalAdvisoryPanel (IAP)forWorkplaceSafetyandHealth(WSH)convened in Singapore from 17-18November 2011 for its thirdmeetingtodiscusskeystrategies toenhanceSingapore’sWSHperformance.

Formed in2006, the IAP isavaluableresource forSingapore to tapon theexpertise and advice of internationalexperts on strategies to raise WSHstandards.

SpearheadedbytheMinistryofManpowerandsupportedbytheWSHCouncil,theThird IAP focussedon twokeyareas:strategiestobuildandsustainapervasiveandprogressiveWSHcultureinSingapore,andtherolesandfunctionsoftheWSHInstituteincreatingandenhancingWSHknowledgeinSingapore.

Protecting the Health of Singapore’s Workers is ParamountTheIAPcommendedSingaporeforthegreatstridesmade in improvingWSHstandardssincethereformoftheWSHframework in2005.Theestablishmentof the WSH Institute will completethe foundations of Singapore’sWSHframework.

WithSingapore’sageingpopulation, itbecomesimperativetoextendeffortstoprotectingthehealthofworkerswhiletheyareyoung.Thiswillensurethattheycanhaveagoodworkinglifeuntilretirement.Morecanbedonetoimproveworkplacehealthmanagementlocally.

Creat ing and Enhancing WSH KnowledgeBecomingtheleadingcentreinAsiaforWSHisoneofthekeyrecommendationsfromtheIAP.Toachievethis, theWSHInstituteiscalledupontoestablishariskobservatorytoproactivelyidentifyareasofconcernandimprovetheeffectivenessofpreventivemeasures.

TheWSH Institute isalsocharged tostayrelevantforthebusinesscommunityand thegovernmentby reinforcing itsclosepartnershipwithtripartitepartnersandensuringthatresearchfindingsaretranslatedeffectively intopracticesontheground.

Championing a Progressive and Pervasive WSH CultureNotingthatculturetranscendswork-lifeboundaries,theIAPrecommendedthat

safety and health valuesbe inculcatedfromyoung.Safetyandhealthmessagescanbe integrated into theeducationalcurriculumofchildren,translatingnaturallyintoagreateremphasisonthesevalueswhentheyentertheworkforce.

P r omo t i n g p e r s o n a lownershipofWSHoutcomesat the individual level,developingopinion leadersin WSH Culture Buildinginbusinessesandculturebuildinginitiativesrolledoutingovernmentdepartmentsarealsohighlightedbythepanel.

With the Governmenta c c e p t i n g a l l n i n erecommendationsby IAP,itcertainlybodeswell forSingapore’snext legof itsWSHjourney.

Key Recommendations from IAP 2011• Singaporetoplacegreateremphasison

addressingoccupationalhealthissues;

• Businessestoworktowardstheirvisionofzeroincidents;

• SingaporetobecomealeadingcentreinAsiatoidentifynewandemergingoccupationalsafetyandhealthrisksthroughtheWSHInstitute;

• EnsuresustainabilityofWSHInstitutethrough strong partnership withstakeholders;

• FurtherenhanceSingapore’sWSHframeworktotrackWSHperformance;

• Engenderaculturefocussedongeneralsafetyandhealthfromyoung;

• GovernmenttotaketheleadinWSHculturebuilding;

• Leadership is key toWSHCultureBuilding;and

• WorkersshouldtakepersonalownershipofWSHoutcomes.

20. Issue 1/2012


(PPE),OSHA7requirestheuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment (PPE) to reduceemployeeexposure to hazardswhenengineeringandadministrativecontrolsarenotfeasibleoreffective inreducingtheseexposures toacceptable levels.EmployersarerequiredtodetermineifPPEshouldbeusedtoprotecttheirworkers.Fundamentally, thepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)requiredtoprotecttwoworkers8–onerespondingtoahazmat(hazardousmaterials) incidentandoneprovidingcaretoan infectiousdiseasepatient–differconsiderablyfromonetoanother,butmostAmericans, includingthoseworkingintheemergency-responseandmedicalcommunities,commonlyrefertobothtypesofequipmentasPPE.

Personalprotectiveequipment9,commonlyreferredtoas“PPE”,isequipmentworntominimizeexposuretoavarietyofhazards.ExamplesofPPEincludesuchitemsasgloves,footandeyeprotection,protectivehearingdevices (earplugs,muffs)hardhats,respiratorsandfullbodysuits.Safetyequipmentthatworkerswearorusetoprevent injury in theworkplace isalsotermedaspersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE).SafetyglassesarecommonPPE.PPEreferstoprotectiveclothing,helmets,goggles,orothergarmentorequipmentdesignedtoprotect thewearer’sbodyfrominjurybyblunt impacts,electricalhazards,heat,chemicals,andinfection,for job-relatedoccupationalsafetyand


healthpurposes,and insports,martialarts,combat,etc.InBritishlegislationthetermPPEdoesnotcoveritemssuchasarmor.Theterms“protectivegear”and“protectiveclothing”areinmanycasesinterchangeable; “protectiveclothing”isapplied to traditionalcategoriesofclothing,and“gear”isamoregeneraltermandpreferablymeansuniquelyprotectivecategories, such as pads, guards,shields,masks,etc. Itemssuchasfireextinguishers,firstaidkitsareequipmenttosupportthepersonalprotectionofthesubject.Policeusehandcuffs,batonsandhandgunsasPPE.PPEalsorefersto

specializedclothingorequipmentwornbyemployeesforprotectionagainsthealthandsafetyhazards.Personalprotectiveequipmentisdesignedtoprotectmanypartsofthebody,i.e.,eyes,head,face,hands, feet,andears.Mostcountrieshavespecifiedstandardstodealwiththeselection,useandmaintenanceofPPE.WeoftenfindworkerswearingtheincorrectPPEsorreusingthePPEtosavecost.Theformerisduetolackofcommunication,awarenessandtraining,whilethelaterispurelyabusinessdecision.

Asweestablishthecorrectcommunicationandcompetencystandards,itisurgentlyrequiredtoreviewtheacronymPPEtoabetterandpracticalacronymthatallcanunderstandtheintent.Therefore,someofthequestionoftenasked,iswhetherPPEisstrictlypersonalandwhetherequipmentisthecorrectwordtodefineprotectionlayers?

Moreoftenthannot,manyofthePPEthatweusearenotpersonal.Example–

safetyshoesandhelmetswornbyvisitorsandgoggles

whenwiped and reused for visitors.Thewordequipment isnotapplicableforgearslikehelmetsandgoggles.ItisveryimportantthatthePPEsshouldbepracticaltotheapplicationitisbeingused.Hence, the letterPmeant forpersonalshouldbereplacedwiththeword‘PracticalorAppropriate’.

Limitations of PPE Therearegeneralproblemsassociatedwiththeuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment,whichcanmakeitalessdesirablecontroloption. In some circumstances, forexample,personalprotectiveequipmentcanbeuncomfortable towear,makeworkingdifficult–forexample,itcanbedifficulttodofineordetailedworkwhenwearingcertaintypesofgloves,createasecondaryrisknotidentifiedintheoriginalassessment.forexample,someitemsofpersonalprotectiveequipmentcanhinderthebody’snaturalcoolingmechanismsbypreventingevaporationofperspiration;andItcanalsobedifficulttomonitorthelevelofprotectionprovidedbythepersonalprotectiveequipment.Further,theuseofpersonalprotectiveequipmentisoftenanexpensiveoptioninthelongtermwhenthecostsofmaintenance,supervisionand(potentiallymore) injuriesaretakenintoaccount.

Thereiscertainlyaneedtostandardizethewaywedefineequipmentasusedintheacronym‘PPE’.

Alternate acronym to PPE Thealternatewordtothe letterPas inPPEwouldbePractical,ApplicableandAppropriateThewordalternate to theletter ‘E’as inPPEaregears,clothing,guards,devices,apparelsandmaterials.Aftercarefullyanalyzingvariousacronyms,the best suited acronym for PPE foranyapplicationswouldbeAppropriateProtectiveGuard(APG)

Rationale for choosing APG Theacronymshouldbepractical,easilyunderstoodbyallwalksoflife,reflectthetruehazardsandprotectionandshouldnotbehavingdifferentopinions fromworkforce.


The acronym should be practical, easily understood by all walks of life, reflect the true hazards and protection and should not be having different opinions from workforce.

22. Issue 1/2012



orequipmentsorapparelismeanttobeprotective,likeglovesandhelmets.

Equipmentreferstosomethingthatcanbeusedlikegadgets.Itisaparadoxthatwecallglovesandhelmetsasequipmenton thesame linesas instrument.Anyof theprotectiveequipmentorgearsor appliances is essentially guards.Guardsasawordprovides theuserasenseofbelonging,ability tohighlighttheimportanceofprotection,easilyspeltandcanrelatetocommonpracticeslikemachineryguardingoraguard in frontof thehouse.Guardasaword refersprotection against harm.Guard as anounusedforpersonsalsoreferstothepersonprotectingtheworkspace.Inallaspects,GuardwillbemoreappropriatethanEquipment.The letter ‘G’canbeusedinsteadof‘E’.

Inallprobablesense,theacronym‘PPE’shouldbechanged to ‘APG’orotherequivalentacronymthatbestreflectstheintentionanduseof the item.APG isverysimilartothechangeoftheacronymMSDS(MaterialSafetyDataSheet)toSDS(SafetyDataSheet)andstandardizingontheuseoftheacronymGHS(globallyharmonizedsystem),whichisnowusedinlieuofNFPAlabeling.

Advantages of Using the Acronym “Appropriate Protective Guards” (APG) Allletterreflectthetrueintentiontowhichit is tobeused.Thisacronymwillbeeasilyunderstoodevenbyany foreignworker,itissimpletouse,noambiguityandmisunderstandingandgivesagreaterconfidencetotheworkforce.

Allstandardsandapplicationshavesofarfocusedontheacronym‘PPE’.Fortheacronymchangetohappen,mindsethastobechangedwithbeliefthatchangeisappropriateandrequired.Reviewofthetrainings,communication,proceduresandchangesinregulationsarealsorequired.Thismightbealongprocess,butcertainlyafrontrunnertodothecorrectchangestosuittheneedsoftheworkforce.

ConclusionTheacronym‘PPE’hasbeenusedforlongyearsanditistimetoreviewtherelevance

References:1. Personal Protective Equipment, downloaded

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_protective_equipment on 06dec2011

2. NTU -SOP on the use of PPE, downloaded on 16Jan12 from http://www.nsse.nie.edu.sg/safety/docs/SOP-The_Use_of_Personal_Protective_Equipment_V2_120809.pdf

3. Personal Proetcetive Equipment, downloaded on 16Jan12 from http://www.bcmpedia.org/wiki/Personal_Protective_Equipment_(PPE)

4. Personal Protective Technology, downloaded on 16Jan 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/ppt/

5. The Personal Protective Technology Program at NIOSH, downloaded on 16 Jan2102 from http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12203#description

6. Construction OS&H – Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPE), downloaded from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_dialogue/---sector/documents/presentat ion/wcms_161842.pdf on 06Dec2011

7. Pe rsona l P ro tec t i ve Equ ipmen t , downloaded from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/ on 06Dec2011

8. PPE: Defining the Terms, Resolving the Ambiguities, by Dennis Jones, downloaded on 06Dec2011 f rom ht tp: / /www.domesticpreparedness.com/Commentary/Viewpoint/PPE:_Defining_the_Terms,_Resolving_the_Ambiguities/ on 06dec2011

9. Personal Protective Equipment, OSHA 3151-12R-2003, downloaded from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf on 06Dec2011

10. “The History and Evolution of Personal Protective Gear”, downloaded from http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/History.Evolution.Personal.82620 on 06dec2011

ofthesame intoday’sandtomorrow’scontextofworkforce.PPEappearstobeanobsoleteandinappropriatetoreflectthetrueintentandwarningstotheworkforce.Changesareneeded.APG is amorepracticalandappropriatecautionacronymwhichbestfitsworkforcerequirementsandcommunicatesinsimpleandunambiguousmanner.Letusbetheleadertomakeourworkplacesafer.

Theletter‘A’choseninsteadof‘P’meansAppropriate. In real terms,wewouldliketomakesuretheworkforceusetheappropriatepersonalprotection,rathertore-enforceofpersonalaspect.Whentheword‘appropriate’isused,thereisagreatsenseofurgencyandresponsibilityonmanagementandworkerstodecideaswhatisappropriatetothehazardstheyencounterratherthantoenforceonthepointof‘personalized’.Wealsoknowthatnoteveryprotectivegearsorequipmentispersonal.Veryoften,dilemmaexistlikewhentouseapronandwhentousegowns,whentousehalffacerespiratorandwhentousefullfacerespirator.Allthesearebestcoveredintheprocedures,trainingsandsignages.Thustheseprotectiveequipmentaremeanttobeappropriatefortheuse.Constructionsitesengageworkersfromdifferentlanguage,raceandculture.Itisallthemoreimportanttoemphasisonthewordappropriaterather thanPersonal.Many foreignworkers tend tobelievethatPersonalinthePPEreferstobeingpersonalthatitcannotbeshared.ThusAppropriatewouldbeabetteracronyminlieuof‘Personal’.

The importanceofPas inProtective issameandneednotbereplaced.Itgivesaclearmessagetotheuserthattheguards

23. Issue 1/2012

Snapshots @ SISO Courses

WSH (Safety Committee) Course

• 12 – 13 December 2011

• 10 – 11 January 2012

Risk Management Course

• 7 – 8 February 2012

• Group 1: 14 – 16 December 2011

• Group 2: 14 – 16 December 2011

• 11 – 13 January 2012

• 13 – 15 February 2012

24. Issue 1/2012


The 30 Year Problem with BBSOs – Behaviour Based Safety Observations

Doyouuseyour informationtopunishpeopleandworkers? Isthis fair?DoesthisnotleadtopeoplehatingtheBBSOprocess?WillworkersseeBBSOasatoolforpunishment?WilltheystopworkwhenyoudoaBBSO?

Yes, there are rules to be followed.Howeverweneed toeducatepeoplefirst.Teachthemtherightwaysofdoingthings.Makethempracticetherightwaystill thehabitsareformed.Thereshouldbediscipline.

BBSOsalsogiveanopportunitytopullthelinesupervisoralongandhelphim/herdevelopleadershipandcoachingskills.Teachingorcoachingthemtocorrecttheirworkers’behaviorswhiletheyaredoingtheworknotaftersomeonespotsthem.

Lack of SuccessesStrangelyhavingatargetandachievingthatphysicaltargetiseasy.Mostpeoplewillfocusonthenumberofobservationsandforgettheintentoftheobservations.Theintentissimple–improvetheworkandimprovethesafety.

BBSOsallowusasmanagementtogainaninsightandanunderstandingofhowthingsarebeingcarriedout.Usingthatinformationweareabletosolvecertainissues.Wecanusethat informationtoprepareactionplans.

Withactionplans,weallcanworktowards

a target (not numbers).Mostpeople,observersandpeoplebeingobservedfeelthattheBBSOprogramisonlyaboutnumbers.Arepeopledoingobservationsbecausesomeonetoldthemtheyneedtomake10observationsperday?Oraretheydoingitbecausetheywantasaferworkenvironment?

Managing ExpectationsBBSOsorobservationsarejustthat.Theyprovidedata.Itisuptothepeoplebehindthescenestogivemeaningtothedataandto implementactionplans.BehaviouralBasedSafetyObservationProgramsareuselessbythemselves.

Sowhatifyoudo1000BBSOsperday.Dotheymeananything?Doestheworkchange?Dothingschange?

Interpretations - Beyond BehavioursMost of the timepeoplebelieve thatincidentsarepreventable.Yes its true.Theyalsobelievethatincidentsarecausedbyunsafeacts.Haveweeverstoppedtothinkifthatwastrue?

Bysayingthatmostincidentsarecausedbyunsafeacts,wearesayingthatpeoplegooutof theirwaytohurt themselvesandothers.

Peopledonotwanttohurtthemselvesorothers.Thosethatdo,wouldprobablybelockedaway.

Manytimeswehavereadthatapersongetshurt.Eithercutshishandwithapenknife,slipsandfalls,or fallsoff thesideofabuildingandthe investigatorsarequicktowritethatthepersonneedsmoretraining.

Howcanthathelp?Normallypeopleorinvestigatorsstopaskingquestionsatthebehaviorlevel.Theinjuredwasworkingatthisareaandhithisheadagainsttheobject.Hefailedtowearahelmet.Hisbehaviorwasthathedidnotwearahelmetwhileworking.

Didanyoneaskwhatwashisintentionofnotwearingahelmet?Wheredidhegettheideathathecouldremovehishelmet?Whenhefirststartedworkingdidheseeothersdoingthesame?

Behavioursarecausedbyintentions.Whatwastheperson’sintentionwhenhe/shecarriedoutthatwork?Whatdidhe/sheintendtodo?Theintentionisformedfromthepersonsperceptionsaswellastheinfluencesfromhis/herpastandlearnings.

Mostpeopleworkinthemannerthattheythinkwouldberightandthattheythinktheirmanagementwantsthemtoworkorexpectsthemto.

26. Issue 1/2012

ThecoursewasprimarilystructuredwithFoundationGroupA having4modulesofBasicSciencesforSafety,HealthandEnvironment,FundamentalsinIndustrialSafety,Fundamentals inEnvironmentalProtection,andFundamentalsinIndustrialHygienewhichwerecompulsory.

For any candidate with relevantbackground,therewouldbeawaiveroffoundationmodulesandheorshewouldneedtomakeupforthesemodulesbychoosing fromeitherSelectiveGroupB,C,DandE whichwererespectivelycategorisedasIndustrialHygiene,ProcessSafety, Environment Protection, andCommonSafety,HealthandEnvironmentProtection. I tookall 4modules fromFoundationGroupand6othermodulesfromthefourSelectiveGroupstomeettherequirementof40ModularCredits(MC)withaminimumCumulativeAveragePoint(CAP)of3.0(equivalenttoanaverageofGradeB-)forasuccessfulcompletionofthestudy.

Full-timestudentswereallowedtotakemaximum 5 modules in a semesterwherebypart-timeonescouldpursueonly 2 modules in each semester.Depending on the pace of learning,numberofmodulescouldbeincreasedinsubsequentsemestersforthelatter.Duetoheavywork-loadatjob,Ihadtosticktoa5-semesterapproachovertwoandhalfayearwhichsawmejugglingworkandstudy,enduringdropsofsweatandlotsofstress.

AsthecoursewasofferedbyChemicalandBiomolecularEngineeringDepartment,


most modules weredirectly and heavilyrelatedtoChemicalandProcess Industries.Forthose candidateswithotherdifferenteducationalbackgrounds,itseemedtoughtocopewith thein-depthknowledgeofmodules. My limitedchemical and processknowledgewasatJuniorCollege levelandtherewasnotraceofchemical-relatedtermsinmypursuitofbachelordegreeinCivilEngineeringafterthat.Nevertheless,thecourse’sProgrammeManager,AssociateProfessorialFellowDrFooSweeChengsparedthethoughtforourconcernandtriedtogethismodulesorientedtowardscommonadaptabilitywithhis superbteachingskills.Forexample,thehazardoffallingfromheightmostlyoccurredinconstructionworkplaceswasexplicitlyexplainedandtaughtwiththeHazardandOperabilityStudy(HAZOP)methodwhichwaswidelyknownforsolvingchemicalandprocesshazards.HAZOP’sguide-words namely Parameter, Deviation,Cause,Consequence,SafeGuardsandRecommendation, Node were madeunderstandablewithpotentialscenariosputunderconsiderationandanalysis.AnditwastransformedintoReliabilityBlockDiagramandFaultTreewhichhelpedallcandidatestoeasilysortouttherootcauseoftheaccident.

AssociateProfessorDrTingYenPingwhotaughtFundamentals inEnvironmentalProtectionmodulewasalsonotleftout

inmy listofunsungheroeswhowenttheextramile.Mostofthemoduleslearnttherewere needed to beverbally presentedby the candidatesindividually or in agroupattheendofthesemester inadditionto having to sit for

Back To School – My Personal Experience

Class in action with a lecturer delivering lessons

awritten test.Assuch,hespecificallyfocusedonevery candidate’s skill ofdeliveringspeechwithhisapproachofassessinginorganisationandstructure,contentandknowledge,visualaids,eyecontact,poise,elocutionandresponseto questions. It eventually helped allcandidatesable topresent the topicsassignedwithfullconfidenceanditwasahead-start foryoungerones towellprepareandpossesspresentationskillsatjobsinfuture.

The courtesy and goodwill of theseacademicsareimmeasurableforimpartinguswithbothknowledgeandprofessionalethics.Notonlytangiblydotheyteach,butalsointangiblysavethelivesandlimbsofworkerswiththeirteachingsappliedatjobsbythestudents.Theydeservemyutmostrespect.

M.Scwords taggingbehindmynamedoesn’tmeanschoolisover.MylearningjourneyhasnotendedwithaseriesofclassesawaitingmeatInstituteforAdultLearningforundergoingthecourseforAdvancedCertificate in Training andAssessment foralmostoneyear inanattempttobecomeacertifiedtrainer.

Duringherupcomingvisit toSingaporethismid-year fortheirson’sgraduationceremony,mymotherwilldefinitelyutteragainthesamewordsinjest:“We’restillparentsofastudent.”

Associate Professorial Fellow Dr Foo Swee Cheng

Associate Professor Dr Ting Yen Ping

28. Issue 1/2012

Inthefirstofaseriesofpracticalworkshops,15participantsmadetheirwaytoRotaryEngineeringLtdinTuasfortheWorkingSafelyatHeightworkshopon24Nov2011.Besidesunderstandingthe legal requirementsofWorkingatHeightand learninghowtoimplementaFallProtectionPlan,participantswereabletohavefirsthandexperienceofbeinginsuspensionandtriedtheirhands-ondonningaPPEproperlyintheworkshopheldincollaborationbetweenSISOandRotaryEngineeringLtd.Thepracticalhands-onexerciseswasaneyeopenerformanyoftheparticipants,someofwhomwerewearingaharness for thefirst timebasedon thepositivefeedbackreceived.

Tosupportandencouragestudents toexcelinWSH,SISOsponsoreda$200graduationprizeforthe2011NgeeAnnPolytechnic,Civil&EnvironmentEngineeringDiplomagraduatingcohort.TheSingapore Institution of SafetyOfficersPrizewaspresentedtoMrWongKiaFuforBestPerformanceintheWorkplaceSafety&Health2ModuleinhiscohortattheNgeeAnnPolytechnicGraduationCeremony2011.

Report: WSH Professional Toolkit on Working Safely at HeightJason PhuaExecutive ManagerSingapore Institution of Safety [email protected]

The Singapore Institution of Safety Officers Prize

29. Issue 1/2012

Report: Annual Members’ Nite held on 6 Jan 2012 @ Furama Riverfront Hotel

ItisthetimeoftheyeartorenewtiesandcatchupwithfellowWSHcomradesasmorethan140membersgatheredatRiverfrontHotelforanightoffoodandfunattheMembers’Niteheldon6Jan2012.SISOtooktheopportunitytopresentaplaquetoMrGohChyeGuanforhiscontributiontowardstheInstitutionduringhistenureasWSHCEx-OfficiototheExecutiveCommittee.

Jason PhuaExecutive ManagerSingapore Institution of Safety [email protected]

30. Issue 1/2012

Schedule of SISO Courses (Jan - Mar 2012) (All courses will be conducted at SPGG, 1010 Dover Road, Singapore 139658, unless otherwise stated. Details listed below are correct as of publication date.)

ThisprogrammeistargetedattheWorkplaceSafety&HealthOfficerslookingforfirst-handsharingandpracticalknow-howinmanagingsafetyrelatingtoworkingatheight(WAH).ParticipantswilllearnhowtodevelopandimplementapracticalFallProtectionPlanandalsounderstandthelegalimplicationsandrequirementsregardingWAH.SDU points - 730/03/2012,Friday

FeeS$214.00*(SISOMembers)S$267.50*(Others)

*FeeinclusiveofGST,lunch&refreshments

AttheendoftheCourse,participantswillbe:•Bringconflictintotheopenandaccuratelyidentifytheissues•Maintainemotionalcontrolwhiledealingwithconflict•Useconflictasanopportunityforchangeandgrowth

SDU points - 7(pending)24/04/2012,Tuesday


*FeeinclusiveofGST

AttheendoftheCourse,participantswillbe:•Toequipparticipantswiththeknowledge&skillsinconductingRiskAssessment,usingsimpleandeffectiveapproaches;•Takeasensiblemethodologyindevelopingappropriatecontrolinitiativesforoccupationalsafetyandhealth;and•ShareexperiencesinmanagingRiskandcomplywithWorkplaceSafetyandHealth(RiskManagement)Regulations.SDU points - 14 points1.6/3/2012,Tuesdayto7/3/2012,Wednesday2.10/4/2012,Tuesdayto11/4/2012,Wednesday3.8/5/2012,Tuesdayto9/5/2012,Wednesday4.5/6/2012,Tuesdayto6/6/2012,Wednesday

FeeS$481.50*(SISOMembers)S$545.70*(Non-members)SDFtraininggrantavailable


AttheendoftheCourse,participantswillbe:•AppreciatetheneedandunderstandingtherationaleforBBSandsafetyawareness;•Learntoobserve,analyzethehumanfactorserrorsinworkexecutionandintervenewithappropriatestrategies;•Conductobservationsandsharetheresultswiththepeopletheyobserveinone-to-onecoachingsessionsandatgroupmeetings;•Developinterventiontechniquestodecreaseresistanceandincreaselong-terminvolvementintheBBSsafetyprocess.SDU points - 7 (pending)18/05/2012,Friday


*FeeinclusiveofGST

ThisCourseaimstoequipparticipantswiththenecessaryknowledgeandskillstoperformanddischargetheirresponsibilitiesassafetycommitteemembersasrequiredbytheworkplacehealthandsafetyregulationsandtocontributeeffectivelytotheimprovementofsafetyandhealthattheworkplace.

1.12/3/2012,Mondayto14/3/2012,Wednesday2.16/4/2012,Mondayto18/4/2012,Wednesday3.14/5/2012,Mondayto16/5/2012,Wednesday4.12/6/2012,Tuesdayto14/6/2012,Thursday

S$449.40*SDFtraininggrantavailable


ThisWDAcompetency-basedDiplomaprogrammeaimstotrainthecourseparticipantswhohaverelevantexperienceorqualificationswithin-depthknowledgeinWSHprofessions.Uponcompletionofthisprogramme,youmayseekforemploymentinWSHcareerasWSHprofessionals,Advisors,ManagersorSpecialists.

FrequencyMonday,Wednesday&Friday(6.30pm-10.30pm)NextIntake-26March2012

S$1,348.20*(WithWDAGrant)S$4,494.00*(WithoutGrant)

*FeeinclusiveofGST

Advanced Certificate in Workplace Safety and HealthParticipantsofthisCoursewillgaintheknowledgeandskillsforfulfillingtheroleofacoordinatorandsupervisorinaccordancewiththeWDA-WSHlevelBcompetency-basedtrainingprogramme.

FrequencyTuesday,Thursdayevenings(6.30pm-9.30pm)OccasionallySaturday(9.00am-6.00pm)NextIntake-27March2012

S$278.20*(WithWDAGrant)S$2782.00*(WithoutGrant)

*FeeinclusiveofGST

•Applyacollaborativeapproachtoresolvingconflict•Increaseproductivityandteamworkbymanagingconflict

Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health

Workplace Safety & Health Committee Training Course (SCT)

Risk Management Course (RM) BizSAFE Level 2

WSH Professional Toolkit on “Behavior-Based Safety”

WSH Professional Toolkit on “Working Safely at Height”

Resolving Conflict in the Workplace for WSH Professionals

31. Issue 1/2012

Advertising with UsWewelcomeadvertisementstopromoteOSHproducts,oreventsinourquarterlynewsletter,SAFETYMATTERS.

TheNewsletterisdistributedtoallmembers,workplacesafetyandhealthofficers,manufacturers,constructioncompanies,professionalandstatutoryorganizations,tertiaryinstitutions,etc.Ourcurrentcirculationforeachissueismorethan2,200copies.

OUR RATESareasfollows:FullColour PerIssue For4consecutiveissuesFullPage(A4size) S$1,177* S$3,424*HalfPage S$856* S$2,568*

*(AllRatesinclusiveofGST)[email protected].

Readersareinvitedtosubmitarticlesonsafety,healthandenvironmenttoSAFETYMATTERS.Whilewetrytopublishyourarticleinfull,wereservetherighttoeditandpublishitwherenecessary.

Ifyouhaveanynews,ideas,feedbackorexperiencethatyouwishtoshare,dowritetousat:[email protected]

Feedback / Comments

Welcome New Membersfrom December 2011 / January / February 2012

ProfessionalAlamgir Hossain HSE EngineerZicom Equipments Pte Ltd

Ang Chin Tiong Self-employed

Chan Sze Wee Safety EngineerSingapore Oxygen Air Liquide (SOXAL)

Chia Hearn Yong Safety OfficerOrison Consulting

Chua Kok Liang Senior Associate EngineerGlobalfoundries Singapore Pte Ltd

Chua Wee Ping PUB ESP SW-W WSHOPublic Utilities Board

Daniel Oh QHSE ManagerUTEC Survey Asia Pte Ltd

Eio Wee Kwang WSHOHyundai Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd

Esuraja Samuel Packiaraj WSHOHitachi Plant Technologies

Ganesan Elango Safety OfficerPipeline Services Pte Ltd

Gopal Mitram HSE CoordinatorKeller Foundations (S E Asia) Pte Ltd

Hari Kumar S/o Karuppan Asst Manager, HSSEPEC Ltd

Hong Kah YuhSenior EHS OfficerHydrochem Pte Ltd

Huang Yaoxiang Nelson EHS EngineerDelphi Automotive Systems Singapore Pte Ltd

Jeyavarthna S/o Subramaniam Safety ManagerSafety and Health International Consultants Pte Ltd

Joshi Pandurang Gangaram EHS LeaderNalco Pacific Pte Ltd

Kazi Mostofa Ali Abdul Khalek WSHODDS Contracts & Interior Solutions Pte Ltd

Khaw Ghim Teck Self-employed

Khor Han Leong Steven Corporate WSHOJia Yi Construction Pte Ltd

Koh Pei Lin Snr Facilities Maintenance SupervisorMinistry of Defence/Republic of Singapore Navy

Krishnan Mayazhagu WSH OfficerObayashi Corporation

Leong Swee Sam Sole ProprietorA-One Contracting Services

Lim Chee Ming Resident Technical OfficerDP Architects Pte Ltd

Lye Chee Koon Operations ManagerSecom (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Mustaffa Bin Ismail Senior Safety & Technical Engineer The Polyolefin Company (S) Pte Ltd

Ng Chye Meng Hermen HSSE ManagerLTH Logistics Singapore Pte Ltd

Ng Swee Ann S H E ManagerWH Marathan Pte Ltd

Pappu Jaisurya HSE Officer Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd

Peh Chee Siong EHS ConsultantH.S.E. Consultants Private Limited

Phang Tze Whay Regional Director, EHS & Security Greater Asia Pacific RegionDiversity Singapore Pte Ltd

Remigio Winie Ferrer Quality Executive Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide (SOXAL)

Siew Wei Keong EHS EngineerGE Aviation Service Operation LLP

Sim Pheng Boon Manager Safety & Health DepartmentChangi International Airport Services Pte Ltd

Soundararajan Singaravelu Manager (Safety & Fire Safety)Lim Logistics and Services Pte Ltd

Syam Kumar Prabhakaran Associate DirectorNational University of Singapore

Tan Poh Hock Wilson AVP (Safety)SATS Ltd

Tan Say Peng Safety & Security ManagerST Microelectronics Pte Ltd

Tan Siew Hoon WSHOHak Kian Enterprise Pte Ltd

Teo Eng Hui Bernard HSE SpecialistInstitute of Molecular and Cell Biology

Teo Kok Sen Senior Officer-HSEQ and SecuritySembawang Engineers and Constructors Pte Ltd

Uppudu Ramakrishnan Ajai Kumar WSH Advisor-East AsiaAmerican Express International Inc

Woo Soon On WSH OfficerQingdao Construction (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Yam Sau Leong EHS EngineerWest Pharmaceutical Services (S) Pte Ltd

Yin Yan Ling EHS EngineerGE Aviation Service Operation LLP

AssociatesAbdillah Az-Dzohry Bin Hashim Safety OfficerGoldin Enterprise Pte Ltd

Ahmad Jeffri Saat Senior Continuous Improvement SpecialistBecton Dickinson Medical (S) Pte Ltd

Ahmad Zirasi Bin Ahmad Zin EHS Officer Asahi Kasei Synthetic Rubber Singapore Pte Ltd

Anuar Bin Abdul Majid Safety Manager A&G Industrial Gas Trading Pte Ltd

Chan Chee Kin EHS Leader Trane Distribution Pte Ltd

Choke Mun Tuck Account Representative Sealed Air (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Ho Hoong Kong WernerFire Safety Manager Concorde Security Pte Ltd

Jason Emmanuel Tee Boon Sern DMERI Safety Manager DSO National Laboratories

Jaspal Singh @ Muhammad Ridzwan Safety Manager Obayashi Corporation Dubai Branch

Johnvictor Charles Safety Coordinator Eng Lee Engineering Pte Ltd

Kumaran S/o PerumalEnvironment Health Officer National Environment Agency

Lee Kian Yi Road Infrasture Inspector Gim Tian Logistics Pte Ltd

Lim Kim Leng WSH Coordinator/Mgt Representative Sunchuan Construction & Engineering Pte Ltd

Lim Wee PingHR Manager Seng Meng Laundry Service

Maximilian Seet Thong SenSenior Technician, HSE Cameron Singapore Pte Ltd

Melissa-Kate Ashwell-MeijerGlobal Head of Safety KB Associates

Mohamed Ismail Bin IbrahimEHS Executive Coca-Cola Singapore Beverages Pte Ltd

Mok Jin Heng ChristopherProject Assistant Multistor Storage Solution Providers Pte Ltd

Sai Kwok Woon Scheme Manager DAS Certification Singapore Pte Ltd

Syed Ahmad Bin Omar Alsagoff Security Executive Shangri-la Hotel Ltd (Singapore)

Tan Boon Hong MarkAssistant Director Home Team Academy

Tan Keng Long Paul Property Manager EM Services Pte Ltd

Tang Han KiangLaboratory Technologist National University of Singapore

Woo Su-FangEHS & Facilities Manager (Asia) Excelitas Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd

Upgrade to ProfessionalEdwin s/o SusenathenWSHO CA Safety Technology Pte Ltd

Leong Hong Wee SamuelQEHS Administrator Weishen Industrial Services Pte Ltd

Low Moon Chuen QEHS Senior Engineer Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd

Md Hafiidh Bin Asnan M Safety Officer Critical Mgt Pte Ltd

Poh Wee SoonAsst Manager - Fire & Safety Environment Jurong Port Pte Ltd

Soh Wei CongAsst Operations Manager Veolia Environmental Services Singapore Industrial

Tan Hood Eng Quality Inspector RSAF

Thakkar Bharatkumar Rasiklal QHSE Executive SGS Testing & Control Services Singapore P L

CorporateISK Singapore Pte Ltd

Jurong Health Services Pte Ltd

Scatech Engineering Pte Ltd

making the difference in safety - sisosiso.org.sg/images/magazines/siso-mag_issue-1-2012.pdf · 16...

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