25 7 月, 2022

Novotech’s Flexible Work Policy is Finalist in Best Workplace Flexibility Program “Excellence Award 2022”

SYDNEY, Jul 25, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific biotech specialist CRO with expanded services in the US, has been recognised for its innovative approach to workplace flexibility. Novotech CEO Dr. John Moller said: "Our flexible workplace design, information technology infrastructure, and flexible resourcing of projects are consistently delivering successful outcomes for our team members, clients, and all stakeholders. We are extremely pleased our workplace flexibility efforts are recognised by the Best Workplace Flexibility Program which has selected Novotech as an Excellence Awardee in 2022."Novotech Chief People Officer Angela Edwardson said that "over the last 12 months, Novotech has re-imagined what flexible working looks like for teams, clients, and the business. This renewed way of working incorporates flexible, remote, and in-office working options and aims to create a dynamic business environment and trusted culture. Team members can determine and apply the most effective way to work, unlocking the maximum value of their talent to benefit all stakeholders."Some of the new flexible working policies include:- FlexLocation: Work from home, office or other suitable location. - FlexTime: Flexible start/finish times - FlexBreak:Bbreaks during the day for wellbeing or other commitments. - FlexHours: An adjustment to contracted hours, either permanently or temporarily (ie: full-time to part-time). - FlexPlace: The option to work at other Novotech offices or cities/countries without a Novotech office temporarily. - FlexStudy: A combination of Flex options and/or leave to meet study commitments.- FlexHolidays: The option to select alternate dates in lieu of allocated celebration/public holidays. - FlexLeave: Leave can be taken by the hour and in combination with other leave types and flexible options. - FlexTimeout: Extended unpaid leave to pursue and interest, relax or attend to caring responsibilities- FlexPersonal: A combination of day-to-day and/or planned options. "Already 17 team members have used or are planning to use FlexPlace in 2022," said Edwardson. "Novotech has a large cohort of expatriate workers, and our new addition of FlexPlace supports them to re-connect with their families and friends or travel while still meeting their working requirements."Novotech's Asia-Pacific and US teams support cost-effective expedited clinical research with world-class data and the most advanced technology including solutions that enable acceleration of clinical trials across the regions.Novotech now has a workforce of ~2,500 clinical trial professionals across Australia, South Korea, Greater China, Southeast Asia, India, South Africa and the US.Asia-Pacific offers a compelling solution for expedited clinical trials especially in oncology with its vast patient populations, less competitive clinical trial landscape, and world-class KOLs, in addition regulatory reforms, such as those in China, have accelerated approval processes.The expansion into the US provides US-based expertise and infrastructure for our US clients wanting trials in APAC and the US, and for our APAC clients wanting US clinical programs.About Novotech Novotech is the leading Asia-Pacific biotech specialist CRO. Novotech has integrated labs and phase I facilities and provides drug development consulting and clinical development services across all phases. It has been instrumental in the success of approximately 4,000 clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas. Novotech is well-positioned to serve biopharma clients conducting clinical trials in Asia-Pacific and the US. For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contactMedia ContactDavid JamesE: communications@novotech-cro.comAU: +61 2 8218 2144 USA: +1 415 951 3228Asia: +65 3159 3427 Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

15 7 月, 2022

We need to talk about cybersecurity in hybrid IT

MANILA, Jul 15, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - It is imperative to take the required measures and have the appropriate protections in any hybrid work environment due to the rise in the usage of personal devices for work, network access through insecure connections, and targeted phishing efforts. The danger of a breach will grow with the adoption of a hybrid working model, even with appropriate cybersecurity safeguards for remote workers in place.Mr. Chito Jacinto, Vice President of ISOG and Board Member of ISACA Manila, gave some of his insights on growing cybersecurity in a hybrid environment. In our interview, he used the banking industry as an example of how organisational structures and accountability must adapt in order to scale up cybersecurity. As the most highly regulated business in the world, rising regulatory fragmentation can be seen not just from banking regulators but also from overall governmental authorities, making these institutions more exposed to cyber attacks. Mr. Jacinto advised that instead of a fragmented approach by concerned or operational units, a unified organisational or bank-wide strategy in response to cybersecurity-related requirements is required.According to him, a hybrid workplace poses hazards since present IT infrastructures were not built to meet the demands of a hybrid workplace, let alone a totally remote operation. This creates a situation in which multiple users, including both hardware and software security technologies, are not under the authority of the organisation's network.Mr. Chito Jacinto will facilitate an EDXchange session at the DX Leaders Strategy Forum Philippines on August 24-25, 2022. To join his roundtable, invitations are requested at Request Invitation - DX - Philippines 2022 (edxevents.com) (https://philippines2022.edxevents.com/request-invitation/). Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

7 4 月, 2022

Push to get more women involved in workplace standards development

8 10 月, 2021

Vehicular accidents top cause of workplace deaths in first half of 2021

SINGAPORE - Vehicular accidents were the top cause of workplace deaths in the first half of this year, according to mid-year statistics on workplace safety and health released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Friday (Oct 8). Twenty-three workers died on the job between January and June, six of them in accidents involving vehicles. Four who died were delivery or dispatch riders, of whom three were killed due to other negligent road users. A work group comprising the Workplace Safety and Health Council, the National Delivery Champions Association and companies such as Grab and SingPost has been formed to discuss how to reduce these deaths, MOM said. Emerging technology solutions such as collision alert systems and rider behaviour monitoring systems will also be put on a trial at logistics and food delivery firms, the ministry added. A two-month enforcement operation on vehicular safety will also be conducted from this month, targeting sectors where workplace traffic hazards are common, such as the transportation and storage sector, construction and manufacturing. The construction sector and the transportation and storage sector each accounted for seven deaths in the first half of this year - making up 60 per cent of all workplace fatalities during this period. Meanwhile, there were four deaths in the manufacturing sector, including the three who died in the explosion at an industrial building in Tuas in February. Since July, there have been at least seven other workplace deaths, bringing this year's tally to at least 30. In comparison, there were 30 workplace deaths in the whole of last year, with 13 deaths in the second half. MOM said it is paying close attention to the manufacturing industry, which had a six-month workplace fatality rate of 1.0 per 100,000 workers, compared with 0.8 per 100,000 workers in the second half of last year. The sector also had the highest number of non-fatal injuries between January and June, with 80 major injuries and 1,364 minor injuries. MOM also noted that the six-month workplace fatality rate for the construction industry rose from 1.2 per 100,000 workers to 1.7 per 100,000 workers. The six-month fatality rate in the transportation and storage industry rose even more, from zero per 100,0000 workers in the second half of last year to 2.8 per 100,000 workers in the first half of this year. Mr Silas Sng, commissioner for workplace safety and health and the divisional director of MOM's occupational safety and health division, said: "The spate of fatal accidents this year, including February's explosion in Tuas that resulted in multiple casualties, serves as a reminder of the catastrophic consequences when safety practices are ignored or compromised." Overall, there were 6,411 workplace injuries in the first half of this year, up from 6,293 in the previous six months. MOM attributed the rise to the gradual resumption of workplace activities since the second quarter of last year. There were 312 major injuries and 6,076 minor injuries, with slips, trips and falls continuing to be the top cause for these injuries. The workplace injuries rate in the first half of this year is comparable with pre-pandemic levels, MOM said.

9 9 月, 2021

askST: How can firms in S’pore operate safely under new Covid-19 measures?

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Manpower released updated guidelines on how workplaces should operate safely to stem the spread of Covid-19. Among the measures are a snap 14-day work-from-home regimen if an employee with Covid-19 has been at the workplace in the past seven days. The Straits Times addresses questions about the new advisory: Q: What should an employer do if informed that a staff member has Covid-19? A: Staff have to immediately vacate and cordon off the immediate vicinity of the area where the positive case worked. There is no need to vacate the whole floor or building if there had been no sustained and close contact with the confirmed case. All staff who are able to work from home must do so for the next 14 days. The period starts the day after the positive test result is known. All employees are encouraged to self-swab every two to three days during the 14-day period. The company must also carry out a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all areas and things that were exposed to confirmed cases, in accordance with guidelines by the National Environmental Agency. In general, staff must inform their employer if they get a positive Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test result. Business could be suspended at work sites with confirmed cases if there are public health grounds to do so, said MOM. Q: Does this requirement apply across all sectors and workers who are contracted from third-party vendors, such as cleaners? A: Yes, it applies to all sectors, and kicks in if any employee or regular contractor alike who has tested positive for Covid-19 was at the workplace in the past seven days. All employees who are able to work from home must do so, regardless of the company's pre-existing working arrangements. Employees whose work cannot be done from home, such as a worker who requires access to specialised machinery only available at the workplace, can return to the workplace. Challenges for employers to implement snap 14-day WFH regime if Covid-19 case found | THE BIG STORY Q: How will MOM be monitoring to ensure firms comply with the latest Covid-19 workplace measures? A: MOM inspectors will continue to engage with companies to ensure they are able to comply with the latest safe management measures. This includes conducting physical checks on companies with Covid-19 positive cases to ensure the snap work-from-home arrangements are implemented. Companies are encouraged to update their business continuity plans - such as what they rolled out during or since the circuit breaker period last year - to prepare for the event that an employee tests positive for Covid-19. Firms are also encouraged to consider adopting flexible work arrangements on a sustainable basis. This will help prepare companies to pivot quickly to alternative work arrangements in the event of future infectious disease outbreaks. More on this topic Related Story S'pore's new Covid-19 workplace rules challenging, say business leaders Related Story Immediate 14-day WFH for all staff if confirmed Covid-19 case was in office within a week Q: Must ART testing for onsite workers be supervised by a trained person? Do employees who return to the workplace twice a week have to do the test too? A: All companies are expected to initiate weekly testing for their onsite staff, and those in sectors not subject to mandatory testing will receive eight antigen rapid test kits per onsite staff. The testing should be done via the Employer Supervised Self-Swab, which means that each staff member is supervised and test results are uploaded on the swab registration system. The testing applies to any employee who returns to the workplace. More on this topic Related Story The Big Story: S'pore tightens workplace Covid-19 measures

17 6 月, 2021

Rise in workplace injuries from slips, trips and falls a concern and needs to be addressed: Zaqy Mohamad

SINGAPORE - Workplace injuries caused by slips, trips and falls in the food and beverage (F&B) industry have risen by an average of 12 per cent a year in the four years before the pandemic, and have been the main driver of injuries in the sector, said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad on Thursday (June 17). Overall, work injuries in the sector have also been rising at an average rate of 9 per cent a year from 2016 to 2019, tapering down slightly last year, as many workplaces were forced to shut due to Covid-19. Last year, there were 985 work injuries in the F&B sector. In 2019, there were 1,167 injuries in the sector, and 932 in 2018. These trends are becoming a concern and need to be addressed, Mr Zaqy said at a virtual forum for the F&B sector organised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council. He said: "Good workplace safety and health makes good business sense... No one wants to work in an accident-prone industry... "For owners, a safe workplace and a healthy workforce means higher productivity, less time lost due to sick leave, better staff retention, and even lower costs from avoiding work injury insurance premium hikes due to injury claims. "For employees, good workplace safety and health sense means protecting their lives and livelihoods." Across all sectors, major injuries caused by slips, trips and falls are on the rise. In the first three months of this year, there were 61 major injuries caused by slips, trips and falls across all industries, up from 37 during the same period last year. Slips, trips and falls are also the top cause of non-fatal work injuries, said Mr Zaqy. Hence, in conjunction with Thursday's virtual forum, a new year-long Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) campaign has been launched to raise awareness of such injuries. This year's campaign is the third such campaign in as many years, and is the second one being led by the food service sector. The WSH Council told The Straits Times that this year's campaign will target employers and workers from the F&B, logistics and transport, and facilities management sectors. It identifies four common hazardous areas in workplaces - slippery areas, slopes, uneven areas and cluttered areas. The campaign will call on companies to establish a year-long STF commitment, and implement five key actions that require them to set aside time to check for hazards, clean up work areas, and share safety messages with their workers on a regular basis. More on this topic Related Story Concern over workplace safety mounts as S'pore firms grapple with Covid-19 pressures The five actions are: - Displaying warning signs in areas with STF risks; - Wearing of non-slip footwear when there is wet or oily flooring; - Holding on to railings at non-level ground; - Removing clutter; and - Cleaning spills promptly The WSH Council said it aims to reach out to 14 associations across the three sectors, whose members comprise more than 6,000 companies. Said Mr Zaqy: "The intent here is to commit to do specific actions to address and tackle STFs, and prevent future injuries from occurring." As part of the campaign, the authorities will also be organising "learning journeys" for companies in high-risk sectors, with the first such journey to start in August. These learning journeys encourage the sharing and learning of best practices across various industries. Mr Zaqy said workers also need to be trained to be safe and this has to be done systematically. For example, segments on preventing slips, trips and falls are now included in the basic mandatory training course for all food handlers. Singapore Hotel Association president Kwee Weilin, who chairs the WSH Council's hospitality and entertainment industries committee, said the F&B industry has been grappling with acute manpower constraints amid the pandemic and workers in the sector have had to bear the brunt of this shortage. One way to work around manpower constraints is to adopt technology to maintain productivity and workplace safety standards, Ms Kwee said. "When made to work longer hours and complete more tasks, our F&B workers are more likely to experience fatigue. Their day-to-day struggle at work may take a toll on their health and increase the likelihood of injuries," she added. More on this topic Related Story Man falls 15m into ship's cargo hold, suffers head injury and fractures Related Story Man falls 40m to his death at Tuas warehouse construction site

6 5 月, 2021

New national certification scheme to help local firms close workplace learning gaps

SINGAPORE - A new certification scheme aimed at helping local firms identify and close gaps in their workplace learning systems was launched on Thursday (May 6) with rail operator SMRT among its first applicants. The National Workplace Learning Certification, which was developed by the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning (NACE), will recognise Singapore-based companies that put in place progressive workplace learning practices and capabilities. These practices and capabilities will in turn enhance workforce performance and improve worker retention rates, NACE, which is led by Nanyang Polytechnic and supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), said in a statement. Launching the certification scheme at SMRT's Mandai Depot, Education Minister Lawrence Wong said it is no longer sufficient for firms to only rely on formal training. "Instead, we need to maximise the workplace as a significant place of learning, where workers continue to learn on the job, day in, day out," he said. Mr Wong, who is also Second Minister for Finance, added that such workplace learning takes a longer, more strategic view towards employee upskilling. "It's not just about ad-hoc learning on the job. It is systematic. It is comprehensive. It is done deliberately. A successful workplace learning culture will not only help companies and employees keep up with changes, it will also position them, and Singapore as a whole, to thrive in a new post-Covid work environment, which is likely to be more unpredictable, turbulent and volatile," he said. The new certification scheme can help firms foster a more learning-friendly culture. Said Mr Wong: "It's not just about getting a piece of paper... It's going through a process that will systematically raise your capabilities and put in place improvements to strengthen your core competencies." The certification will also help to distinguish the companies that have made this effort. Mr Wong added: "I believe workers on their part, (and) unions, will be able to tell the difference, and will over time gravitate towards such preferred employers." Companies that apply for the new certification will be assessed on six components - strategy, leadership, planning, training needs analysis, environment, as well as implementation and processes. This is based on a framework that was developed in January last year and takes reference from German and Swiss models for workplace learning. Interested firms will first be given free consultation to help them improve their workplace learning systems and work towards certification after an initial self-evaluation. More on this topic Related Story New road map launched to support workplace learning and worker employability Related Story S'pore employers prioritise skills over education, experience: LinkedIn survey After a firm successfully applies for the certification, NACE, in partnership with the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, will conduct site visits to assess the firm's workplace learning culture, capabilities and efforts. The assessment will be reviewed and approved by a committee comprising industry leaders. If the firm passes, it will receive one of four certification levels. Companies can apply for a higher certification level after two years. SSG is exploring the use of the new certification as validation of quality workplace learning capabilities. This could become another criterion that SSG can use to assess the in-house training providers that it funds. The certification cost, which is payable to NACE, will range between $2,800 and $7,100 depending on the size of the company. SSG chief executive and NACE steering committee chairman, Mr Ong Tze-Ch'in, said the National Workplace Learning Certification serves as to nudge companies to aim for a higher level of workplace learning. SMRT chief executive Neo Kian Hong said his firm works hard to ensure that its staff are well-trained and continuously upgraded so they can provide a safe and reliable public transport service. The rail operator has been working with NACE to implement structures, programmes and certifications to support its workplace learning efforts. In 2019, it started a comprehensive review of its staff training system. The firm also engaged NACE to strengthen its in-house training. Since then, SMRT has created digital learning platforms to encourage self-directed learning, and invested in immersive learning technologies such as virtual reality to simulate high-risk scenarios. Said Mr Neo: "We are very happy to work with NACE for the certification. We hope to ensure that our people are employed and employable and are proud to serve with industry-relevant skills." More on this topic Related Story Hold toxic managers accountable, drop useless meetings: Commerce chamber CEO on workplace mental wellness Related Story Interactive: Singapore’s Best Employers 2021

24 4 月, 2021

Almost 900 workplaces inspected in April, about 10 fined for breaching Covid-19 rules: MOM

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Saturday (April 24) said it has inspected close to 900 workplaces and fined about 10 companies since the start of April for breaching Covid-19 safe management measures (SMM). In a Facebook post, MOM said when Covid-19 community cases occur, it conducts checks on the relevant workplaces to ensure measures are in place to prevent further transmission. MOM said it inspected the workplace of a recent community case and found several lapses. These included the lack of demarcation for safe distancing, failure to appoint a safe management officer and failure to ensure regular temperature checks and proper control of access for employees and visitors. MOM said it would be ordering the workplace to close because of these lapses. The ministry added it would continue to step up enforcement efforts to ensure proper implementation of prevailing SMM at workplaces. MOM noted that although there has been some relaxation of these requirements since April 5, it is important that employers continue to provide a safe working environment. The easing of measures included allowing up to 75 per cent of employees to be at the workplace at any one time, up from 50 per cent, with working from home no longer the default. The restriction on how long a worker spends at the workplace has also been lifted. Inspectors found that the workplace of a recent community case did not conduct regular temperature checks and enforce SafeEntry. PHOTO: SINGAPORE MINISTRY OF MANPOWER/ FACEBOOK MOM added in the Facebook post: "To safeguard livelihoods and businesses, we must continue to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission at workplaces by ensuring that all SMM requirements are strictly adhered to. "Non-compliant employers could be fined, prosecuted, or ordered to shut in cases of severe lapses." More on this topic Related Story Almost 140 firms told to stop on-site operations after serious breaches of Covid-19 measures Related Story MOM to work closely with employers to manage risk of infectious diseases spreading at work

11 4 月, 2021

Higher demand for childcare, maids and gadgets in S’pore as more people return to workplace

SINGAPORE - When Ms Pamela Wah, 26, heard that she could return to the workplace from last Monday, she immediately ordered a portable breast pump costing $92. The accounts manager at a tech company, who has a seven-month-old child, has to return to the office for five days a week. She said the wired pump she uses at home would be inconvenient to use in the office or at a client's place. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

25 3 月, 2021

46 workers lost hands, fingers in accidents last year, mainly due to unsafe machinery use

SINGAPORE - Forty-six workers lost their hands or fingers in amputation accidents last year, mainly due to the unsafe use of machinery. Such injuries, which often have a lasting impact on the workers' lives and livelihoods, are preventable, stressed Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad on Thursday (March 25) when he launched this year's Safe Hands Campaign. "We need to persevere in our efforts to ensure such incidents do not recur," he said, as he encouraged companies to embrace a culture of reporting near misses. The campaign, an initiative by the Workplace Safety and Health Council, focuses on raising awareness on machinery safety and practices to avoid hand and finger injuries. Mr Zaqy said that there were 1,756 injuries due to machinery incidents last year, down from 2,262 in 2019. But he pointed out that the drop could be due to the circuit breaker period and the suspension of business activities then. "Overall, for the manufacturing sector, machinery incidents still account for nearly one-third of all injuries in the sector, so we must continue to press on," he added. Last month, 11 workers died in nine separate workplace accidents. Some of the fatalities involved the use of machinery such as forklifts. "These tragic accidents provide a stark reminder that if not used properly, machines can lead to needless loss of lives, not just the loss of hands or fingers," said Mr Zaqy, urging firms to conduct a safety time-out to review their practices and assess possible risks. While Singapore has resumed almost all its manufacturing activities since the end of the circuit breaker on June 1 last year, workplace safety and health cannot be taken for granted as firms catch up on order delays or adjust their operations, he said. "Every accident and every life lost is one too many." The campaign is held in collaboration with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation. Last year, some 560 firms pledged their commitment towards enforcing greater safety. Mr Zaqy called on more employers to take proactive steps to ensure their workers' safety. These include installing machine guards, which prevent operators from having their hands and fingers caught between moving parts, or light curtains, which are sensors that can detect if an operator's fingers get too close to a machine's moving parts. While such measures are a necessary first step, a company's management has to ensure the guards are maintained and are not intentionally removed for the sake of convenience. "Companies cannot delegate this responsibility to the workers," he noted. They should also be receptive to feedback and act immediately when lapses are flagged. More on this topic Related Story Spike in workplace injuries sparks renewed call for more vigilance Related Story 7 deaths from workplace accidents in February, prompting call for 'safety time-out' In his opening address, Mr Zaqy also touched on workplace health issues, from chronic problems to infectious diseases such as Covid-19. In recent years, mental health at the workplace has become a growing concern. Firms can use a free online assessment tool called iWorkHealth to identify sources of work stress, and refer to the tripartite advisory on mental well-being for resources to support workers' mental health. Mr Zaqy said a stressful work environment may affect productivity and lead to potential lapses, as distracted workers may lack focus and have slower hand-eye coordination. Similarly, workers with poorly managed chronic diseases may find difficulty getting rest, he added. "Limited energy levels coupled with constant pain make even the simplest tasks draining and tiresome. A worker could even lose consciousness while at work, and this has dire consequences when they are operating machinery." More on this topic Related Story New task force to tackle mental health issues among migrant workers Related Story Total Defence Day: SAF senior medic spent time after shift counselling migrant worker

27 2 月, 2021

Fatal Tuas fire: MOM to appoint inquiry committee to study what led to explosion that killed 3

SINGAPORE - An inquiry committee will be appointed by Manpower Minister Josephine Teo following the fatal fire and explosion at Stars Engrg on Wednesday (Feb 24). Three workers died and another five are still in critical condition, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Saturday. MOM said the committee is expected to carry out a thorough study into the factors that led to the fire and blast. It will also make recommendations including policy, regulatory or workplace safety and health measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. The committee will be led by a district judge with two technical assessors, and its proceedings will be held in open court. More details will be announced next week. The last time an inquiry was convened for a workplace accident was in 2004 to investigate the Nicoll Highway collapse that killed four people. Ten people were taken to hospital for burn injuries. PHOTO: SCDF / FACEBOOK In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad called Wednesday's accident one of the most serious workplace incidents in Singapore in recent years. He said Singapore had made significant improvements to workplace safety and health over the last 15 years. For instance, the fatal injury rate at workplaces was reduced from 4.9 per 100,000 workers in 2004, to 1.1 per 100,000 workers in 2019. But he cautioned against being complacent. He said: "While we have made significant progress, the recent spate of fatal incidents is evidence that we must never be complacent and maintain high safety standards. "We cannot afford to let down our guard, because every life lost is a breadwinner and a loved one lost. "I strongly urge all our industry stakeholders to continue to pay close attention to workplace safety as we restart our economy in a safe manner amidst the pandemic." He added MOM will share its priorities for the coming year at the annual Committee of Supply debate in Parliament next week, where he will elaborate on the ministry's continued efforts in ensuring good safety practices at workplaces. More on this topic Related Story 'Some ran out screaming': Eyewitness who helped victims in Tuas fire Related Story 10 people taken to hospital with burn injuries after explosion in Tuas industrial building

25 2 月, 2021

300 more inspections for high-risk workplaces after 7 deaths from accidents in February: MOM

SINGAPORE - Following a spate of workplace accidents this month which saw seven people killed, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is adding 300 inspections in high-risk industries. In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Feb 24), MOM said the inspections will continue until mid-March, adding that there will be "a greater focus on tackling the common infringements found of work-at-heights risk and safe use of machinery" in the construction, manufacturing and marine sectors. The announcement came on the same day as an explosion at an industrial site in Tuas, which saw 10 workers taken to hospital for burn injuries. Of the seven deaths from workplace accidents this month, three fell from height, three were caught between objects and one was involved in a work-related traffic accident. MOM had, between mid-December last year and this month, launched Operation Robin with 400 inspections at various sites. The team uncovered 486 contraventions and issued seven stop-work orders (SWO). In one of these inspections, MOM issued a SWO to Kian Hua Hardware where contraventions, including ignition keys being left in forklifts and unsafe electrical installations, were uncovered. Another SWO was issued to waste management and construction company Mass Engineering for practices including poorly maintained excavators and the unsafe stockpiling of debris. MOM said top offences found during Operation Robin were unguarded openings and open sides that pose as fall risks as well as unsafe machinery practices. In two of the fatal accidents this month, workers had operated a boom lift and a forklift, even though they were untrained and unauthorised. "MOM takes such contraventions seriously and will not hesitate to take a tough enforcement stance against those who put workers at risk," it added. Workers were found exiting the platform of the boom lift at height onto the building ledge. PHOTO: SINGAPORE MINISTRY OF MANPOWER/FACEBOOK The Singapore Contractors Association and Workplace Safety and Health Council had on Monday issued a call for a safety time-out on the use of machinery in the light of the recent incidents. In a Facebook post the same day, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said that 30 fatalities were recorded for the whole of last year and seven for this month alone. "This is extremely alarming... these incidents could have been prevented with adequate risk assessment of the workplace, and proper safety procedures in place," he said. More on this topic Related Story 7 deaths from workplace accidents in February, prompting call for 'safety time-out' Related Story Labour MP concerned fatigue from Covid-19 measures hitting workplace safety, urges firms to review systems

23 2 月, 2021

7 workplace deaths this month ‘extremely alarming’

There have been seven deaths from workplace accidents this month alone, in what Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad has called an "extremely alarming" trend. Of the seven fatalities, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council said three workers fell from height, three were caught between objects and one was involved in a work-related traffic accident. In the wake of these incidents, the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd and WSH Council have issued a call for a safety time-out (STO) on the use of machinery. In a Facebook post yesterday evening, Mr Zaqy said the Ministry of Manpower will continue to step up enforcement with a greater focus on work-at-heights and safe use of machinery, targeting the construction, manufacturing and marine industries in the coming months. The Straits Times reported last Friday that four of the deaths happened in the first 10 days of this month. Mr Zaqy noted that in contrast, there were 30 deaths for the whole of last year. "This is extremely alarming, setting a worrying trend for the year ahead," he said. "These incidents could have been prevented with adequate risk assessment of the workplace, and proper safety procedures in place." He also noted that in two of the fatal accidents, workers had operated a boom lift and a forklift, even though they were untrained and unauthorised. "I urge employers and employees to take a step back and reassess their workplaces and safety procedures. These steps are crucial to ensure that our workers return home safely and healthily," said Mr Zaqy. 4 Number of deaths from workplace accidents which happened in the first 10 days of this month. Mr John Ng, chairman of the WSH Council, also said the accidents could have been prevented. "I am gravely concerned with this spate of seven fatal workplace accidents that is unprecedented" and the unnecessary loss of lives, he said. "I call on all employers to do an STO especially on the use of machinery, to assess and review existing safety provisions and implement immediate necessary measures to uphold good safety practices."

6 2 月, 2021

Almost 140 firms told to stop on-site operations after serious breaches of Covid-19 measures, 280 fined

SINGAPORE - Close to 140 firms were told to cease on-site operations after serious breaches of Covid-19 workplace safe management measures introduced in March last year. Another 280 firms were fined for failing to adhere to the measures, after an inspection of more than 36,000 workplaces since last March, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Feb 6). In response to queries from The Straits Times, an MOM spokesman said: "The most common violation seen was companies having a high percentage of employees reporting to the workplace for extended periods despite them being able to perform their work from home." Some companies had also failed to implement safe distancing measures at workstations and meeting rooms, such as not spacing chairs 1m apart. All companies fined by MOM were first-time offenders, said the spokesman. With Chinese New Year around the corner, companies are reminded not to organise social gatherings such as lohei or Chinese New Year meals. "Last month, Singapore saw the formation of two Covid-19 clusters at workplaces. The continued emergence of community cases and potentially more transmissible strains make the risk of workplace transmission a significant cause for concern," noted MOM in the Facebook post. It suggested that companies can show their appreciation for staff by sending them care packs or organising virtual celebrations. MOM added that when workplaces are inspected, the ministry will liaise with the companies' appointed safe management officers on their workplace health and safety plan. The plan should include a roster for split team arrangements and an evacuation plan to be executed when there are unwell employees, especially those suspected to have Covid-19. Some companies had also failed to implement safe distancing measures at workstations and meeting rooms, such as not spacing chairs 1m apart. PHOTO: MOM "There should be clear demarcation of safe physical distances (at least 1m apart), minimised common physical touchpoints, and regular cleaning of common spaces," said MOM. For breaches of safe management measures, first-time offenders can be fined up to $1,000 and repeat offenders up to $2,000. MOM reminded employers and employees to continue observing safe management measures at work, which will be vital for the safe reopening of the economy. Workplace safe management measures were put in place at the end of the circuit breaker period in June last year. They were last eased on Sept 28 when more employees were allowed to return to the workplace. Last month, the Singapore National Employers Federation, the National Trades Union Congress and MOM said working from home should remain the default arrangement to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission in offices. More on this topic Related Story 42 firms in Singapore fined for breaching Covid-19 safety rules Related Story MOM to work closely with employers to manage risk of infectious diseases spreading at work

27 11 月, 2020

Women Icons Network, Myanmar Coalition sign pact to enhance social conversations around workplace gender equality

SINGAPORE, Nov 27, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - Singapore headquartered, Women Icons Network (WIN), a platform that captures the value of gender-balanced workplaces by engaging women, corporates and D&I professionals, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Myanmar Business Coalition for Gender Equality (BCGE). Under the terms of the MoU signed on November 5, 2020, WIN and BCGE will work towards increasing commitment and social conversations around gender equality at the workplace. BCGE is a non-profit association that encourages businesses to initiate gender equality practices in the workplace. The association and its member firms have made considerable progress towards creating gender-equal places of work. WIN is a technologically powered, globally scalable online platform that amplifies the voices of women at the workplace and also enables them to share their experiences. "We are excited to welcome Women Icons Network (WIN) as our latest partner. The collaboration will not only help us highlight the tremendous work done by our member firms but also roll-out mentorship programs that address the gaps essential to building an inclusive leadership," said Ms Kyawt Kay Thi Win, Country Director, BCGEMr Vishwesh Iyer, Co-founder, WIN, believes that all those working towards ensuring gender equal workplaces need to make a collective effort that augments individual strengths if we as a society are serious about SDG 5 Goals. About Women Icons NetworkWomen Icons Network (WIN) is an engagement and data aggregation platform that captures the value of gender equal places of work across South and South East Asia. Integrating workplace feedback and published data on companies to create a Diversity Metric that differentiates places of work around gender equality, the platform will amplify the efforts of all stakeholders operating the area of diversity and inclusion. WIN, headquartered in Singapore, is promoted by two experienced professionals and supported by hundreds of women leaders across South and South East Asia.About Business Coalition for Gender EqualityThe Business Coalition for Gender Equality (BCGE) is a non-profit association and also a coalition of companies that are committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace in Myanmar.Our association is led and founded by seven leading businesses in Myanmar - City Mart Holding Limited (CMHL), KBZ Bank, KBZ MS, AYA Bank, FMI, Parami Energy Group of Companies, and Shwe Taung Group - that have all committed to achieve organizational growth and global sustainable development goals through workplace gender equality initiatives.BCGE encourages all companies and organizations in the commercial sector to initiate workplace gender equality practices and serves as a center of excellence to support their journey.Contact for Media queriesVishwesh Iyervishwesh@womeniconsnetwork.com+65 - 91018487 Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com