26/09/2022
SAFETY TIME OUT- A workplace safety and health (WSH) response measure that involves the temporary suspension of the company’s operations to review risk assessments, improve site safety, and communicate the importance of WSH to all workers.
There have been 36 fatal workplace accidents in 2022 so far, close to the 37 recorded for the whole of 2021. This is tragic and alarming. Almost all the fatal cases could have been prevented if workers were more aware of risky situations, and companies ensured that workers followed safe working procedures.
For top management
• Personally do a walk-about on site to encourage workers to report safety risks and near misses
to their supervisors. Ask workers to surface their safety concerns, if any, and reassure them that
they will not be penalised for doing so. Emphasize top management’s commitment to safety and
inform site/project managers and supervisors that any safety risks should be resolved before
work commencement.
• Share learning points from recent fatal accidents from the WSH Alerts with all workers, to avoid a repeat of such cases in your own company.
For WSH personnel:
• Identify any new risks that were not factored into the Risk Assessment, and devise control measures
to mitigate these risks. Pay special attention to mitigate the risks of recent vehicular-related fatal
accidents.
• Ensure that the control measures in the company’s Risk Assessment are being implemented.
• Hold workshops or meetings with workers to recap basic site safety, and how they can uphold good
WSH standards.
