bizSAFE Risk Assessment — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a Risk Assessment (RA) as required under Singapore's WSH Act?
- A financial audit of the company
- A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures in the workplace (Correct answer)
- A customer satisfaction survey
- An environmental impact study
Correct answer: A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures in the workplace
Under the WSH Act and WSH (Risk Management) Regulations, employers must conduct Risk Assessments to identify workplace hazards, evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm, and implement appropriate control measures.
Question 2: What is the hierarchy of control measures used in Singapore workplace risk management?
- PPE first, then engineering controls
- Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE (in order of effectiveness) (Correct answer)
- Administrative controls first, then elimination
- All controls are equally effective
Correct answer: Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE (in order of effectiveness)
The hierarchy of controls prioritises elimination (most effective) through to PPE (least effective). Singapore's WSH guidelines follow this internationally recognised hierarchy.
Question 3: Under Singapore's WSH (Risk Management) Regulations, how often must Risk Assessments be reviewed?
- Only when an accident occurs
- At least once every 3 years, or when there are significant changes to work processes (Correct answer)
- Every month
- Only during bizSAFE audits
Correct answer: At least once every 3 years, or when there are significant changes to work processes
Risk Assessments must be reviewed at least every 3 years. They should also be reviewed after any accident, near-miss, or when there are significant changes to work processes, equipment, or materials.
Question 4: What is a 'hazard' in workplace safety terminology used in Singapore?
- A workplace rule
- Any source, situation, or act with the potential to cause harm in terms of injury, ill health, or a combination of these (Correct answer)
- A safety officer's report
- An employee's complaint
Correct answer: Any source, situation, or act with the potential to cause harm in terms of injury, ill health, or a combination of these
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm — this includes physical hazards (machinery), chemical hazards (toxic substances), biological hazards, ergonomic hazards, and psychosocial hazards.
Question 5: What is the risk matrix commonly used in Singapore workplace risk assessments?
- A 2x2 grid of cost and benefit
- A matrix combining likelihood (probability) and severity (consequence) to determine risk level (Correct answer)
- A list of all employees and their roles
- A schedule of safety training sessions
Correct answer: A matrix combining likelihood (probability) and severity (consequence) to determine risk level
The risk matrix plots the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring against the severity of its potential consequences, producing a risk rating (e.g., low, medium, high) that determines the priority of control measures.
Question 6: Who is responsible for conducting Risk Assessments in a Singapore workplace?
- Only the government
- The employer, who may appoint a competent person to conduct the RA (Correct answer)
- Only the employees
- Only external consultants
Correct answer: The employer, who may appoint a competent person to conduct the RA
Under the WSH Act, the employer has the duty to conduct Risk Assessments. They may appoint competent persons (internal or external) who have the necessary training and knowledge.
