bizSAFE Risk Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'near-miss' in Singapore workplace safety?
- A minor workplace injury
- An unplanned event that did not result in injury but had the potential to do so (Correct answer)
- A successful safety drill
- A planned maintenance shutdown
Correct answer: An unplanned event that did not result in injury but had the potential to do so
A near-miss is an incident where no injury or damage occurred but the circumstances were such that injury or damage could easily have resulted. Reporting near-misses is vital for preventing future accidents.
Question 2: What are the key steps in conducting a Risk Assessment according to Singapore's WSH guidelines?
- Only identifying hazards is sufficient
- Identify hazards, assess risks, implement controls, record findings, and review regularly (Correct answer)
- Hire an external auditor and wait for their report
- Only implement PPE for all workers
Correct answer: Identify hazards, assess risks, implement controls, record findings, and review regularly
The RA process follows five systematic steps: identify hazards, evaluate the risk (likelihood x severity), implement control measures, document the assessment, and review and update regularly.
Question 3: Under Singapore regulations, what must an employer do if a Risk Assessment reveals an unacceptable risk?
- Accept the risk and continue operations
- Implement control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk to an acceptable level before allowing work to proceed (Correct answer)
- Only inform employees of the risk
- Wait for MOM to inspect and advise
Correct answer: Implement control measures to eliminate or reduce the risk to an acceptable level before allowing work to proceed
Employers must take immediate action to control unacceptable risks. Work should not proceed until adequate measures are in place to bring the risk to an acceptable level.
Question 4: What role do workers play in Risk Assessments in Singapore?
- Workers have no role in Risk Assessments
- Workers should be consulted and involved as they have first-hand knowledge of workplace hazards (Correct answer)
- Workers only need to read the completed RA
- Workers are only responsible for wearing PPE
Correct answer: Workers should be consulted and involved as they have first-hand knowledge of workplace hazards
Singapore's WSH framework encourages worker participation in RAs because workers often have the best understanding of actual workplace conditions, hazards, and practical control measures.
Question 5: What is 'residual risk' in a Singapore workplace Risk Assessment?
- The original risk before any controls
- The remaining risk after control measures have been implemented (Correct answer)
- The risk of a control measure failing
- The cost of implementing safety measures
Correct answer: The remaining risk after control measures have been implemented
Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after all reasonably practicable control measures have been applied. It should be at an acceptable level for work to proceed safely.
Question 6: What is the legal consequence for employers in Singapore who fail to conduct required Risk Assessments?
- No legal consequences exist
- Fines of up to SGD 50,000 and/or imprisonment, with higher penalties for repeat offences (Correct answer)
- A verbal warning only
- Mandatory retraining of the employer only
Correct answer: Fines of up to SGD 50,000 and/or imprisonment, with higher penalties for repeat offences
Under the WSH Act, failure to conduct Risk Assessments is an offence. Employers can face fines up to SGD 50,000 for a first offence, with higher penalties for subsequent offences or if injury results.
bizSAFE Risk Assessment 2
What is a 'near-miss' in Singapore workplace safety?