bizSAFE Safety Culture and Training 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the WSH (Safety and Health Training) Regulations requirement for hazardous work in Singapore?
- No specific training regulations exist
- Workers performing hazardous work must complete approved safety training courses before they are allowed to carry out the work (Correct answer)
- Only supervisors need training
- Training is recommended but not mandatory
Correct answer: Workers performing hazardous work must complete approved safety training courses before they are allowed to carry out the work
The regulations mandate that workers involved in specific hazardous activities (e.g., operating cranes, working at heights, handling chemicals) must complete approved training courses before performing those tasks.
Question 2: What role does senior management play in building safety culture in a Singapore company?
- Senior management has no role in safety
- Senior management must demonstrate visible commitment to safety, allocate resources, set safety objectives, and lead by example (Correct answer)
- Senior management only needs to sign safety policies
- Senior management should delegate all safety matters to the safety officer
Correct answer: Senior management must demonstrate visible commitment to safety, allocate resources, set safety objectives, and lead by example
A strong safety culture starts from the top. Senior management must visibly champion safety, participate in safety activities, allocate adequate resources, and model safe behaviours.
Question 3: What is 'behavioural-based safety' (BBS) as practised in some Singapore workplaces?
- Punishing workers for every safety violation
- An approach that observes and reinforces safe behaviours while addressing unsafe behaviours through coaching and feedback (Correct answer)
- A system of behavioural testing during hiring
- A mandatory government programme
Correct answer: An approach that observes and reinforces safe behaviours while addressing unsafe behaviours through coaching and feedback
BBS focuses on observing workplace behaviours, reinforcing safe practices through positive feedback, and coaching workers who display unsafe behaviours to change their habits.
Question 4: What safety induction training must new workers receive at a Singapore workplace?
- No induction is required
- Orientation covering workplace hazards, emergency procedures, safety rules, PPE requirements, and reporting procedures (Correct answer)
- Only a tour of the office
- Only a handbook to read at home
Correct answer: Orientation covering workplace hazards, emergency procedures, safety rules, PPE requirements, and reporting procedures
New workers must receive comprehensive safety induction covering the specific hazards of their workplace, emergency procedures, use of PPE, safety rules, and how to report hazards and incidents.
Question 5: What is a 'near-miss reporting system' and why is it important in Singapore workplaces?
- A system for tracking employee attendance
- A system encouraging workers to report incidents that could have caused harm, enabling proactive identification of hazards before injuries occur (Correct answer)
- A complaint system for workplace grievances
- A system for reporting equipment breakdowns only
Correct answer: A system encouraging workers to report incidents that could have caused harm, enabling proactive identification of hazards before injuries occur
Near-miss reporting allows organisations to identify and address hazards before they result in actual injuries. It is a leading indicator of safety performance and is strongly encouraged under Singapore's WSH framework.
Question 6: What WSH training subsidies are available to Singapore companies through SkillsFuture?
- No subsidies are available for safety training
- Companies can receive subsidies of up to 90% for approved WSH training courses through SkillsFuture Singapore (Correct answer)
- Subsidies are only for university courses
- Only foreign workers receive training subsidies
Correct answer: Companies can receive subsidies of up to 90% for approved WSH training courses through SkillsFuture Singapore
SkillsFuture Singapore provides substantial subsidies (up to 90% for SMEs) for approved WSH training courses, making it affordable for companies to train their workers in workplace safety.
bizSAFE Safety Culture and Training 2
What is the WSH (Safety and Health Training) Regulations requirement for hazardous work in Singapore?