Workplace Safety and Health Council

The Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) is a Singapore-based statutory body that focuses on the regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare. The WSHC can be considered as a successor institution to the Workplace Safety and Health Advisory Committee (WSHAC), which was formed in September 2005.

History
On April 29, 2008, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the creation of the Workplace Safety and Health Council to oversee safety standards and promote a workplace safety culture. The council is an upgrade from the former Workplace Safety Health advisory committee.

The WSHC works closely with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and other government agencies, various industry sectors, unions, and professional associations in the development of strategies and programs to raise workplace health and safety standards in Singapore.

Build capability of the industry to better manage workplace health and safety
The WSHC collaborates with other government agencies, including the Workforce Development Agency (WDA). Utilizing the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) framework developed by WDA, the WSH Professional WSQ framework was established for the competency training of workplace health and safety professionals. Complementing the training development aspects, the WSHC conducts regular reviews and audits of accredited training providers so as to ensure a pool of highly credible and competent workplace health and safety training providers.

Promote workplace health and safety and recognize companies with good performance
To build and promote workplace health and safety culture in the community, the WSHC actively organizes events and programs, engaging various stakeholders, to promote the importance of workplace health and safety and its benefits and provide the necessary guidance for its implementation. Some of these activities include the National WSH Campaign, the WSH Awards, the "Safety Starts With Me" campaign, and various workplace health and safety seminars, conferences and workshops targeting different categories of workforce. Among the staple sof WSHC publications are torkplace health and safety statistical reports, case studies, guidelines, technical advisories, approved codes of practice, posters, flyers, and videos, and iWSH (newsletter specially designed for workers)). The WSHC also has an up-to-date website,and the WSH Bulletin, an electronic bulletin that highlights the latest in workplace health and safety issues.

Setting acceptable WSH practices
The WSHC aims to promote the adoption of good workplace health and safety practices with various stakeholders. The WSHC also aims to work in collaboration with the other standard-setting bodies to develop national standards, lead the development of industry guidelines, and establish approved codes of practices for the industry.

bizSAFE
is a capability-building ten-year program that is tailored to assist small and medium enterprises (SME) in building up their workplace health and safety capabilities.