Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Singapore (Ratification: 2012)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment on C.187

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on occupational safety and health (OSH), the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 45 (underground work (women), 155 (OSH) and Convention No. 187 (promotional framework for OSH) together.

The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of Convention No. 155.

• General Provisions

Conventions Nos 155 and 187

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning Articles 2(2) (taking into account principles of ILO instruments) and 4(3)(f) (OSH training) of Convention No. 187, which respond to its previous request.

Application of Convention No. 155 and No. 187 in practice. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report, including statistics regarding the number of total workplace injuries and fatalities. The Government indicates that, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health Report of June 2022, the number of workplace injuries was lower in the first half of 2022 than the two previous six-month periods (4.5 per cent lower and 7.5 per cent lower respectively), but the number of workplace fatalities had increased. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of ratified OSH Conventions in practice, including the number of occupational accidents and cases of occupational diseases.

• Action at the national level

Articles 1(2) and 2(2) of Convention No. 155. Scope of application. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national framework on OSH and in particular the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act of 2006, does not cover workplaces owned or occupied by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and certain other uniformed organizations, as well as domestic premises. The Committee notes that under the Sixth Schedule of the WSH Act of 2006, the following categories of workers are excluded: any member of the Singapore Police Force (including the Special Constabulary), Singapore Prisons Service, Internal Security Department, Central Narcotics Bureau, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority while on duty; as well as a crew member at work on board any ship, aircraft or any other international mode of transport which does not pose a risk to the safety and health of any person other than the crew member himself or herself or any other crew member on board the ship, aircraft or other international mode of transport. The Government indicates that employees of the SAF and domestic workers are covered by insurance schemes provided by their employers for work injury compensation. With respect to domestic workers, the Government indicates that similar coverage as the WSH Act is provided under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Lastly, the Committee notes that, under section 62 of the WSH Act of 2006, the Minister of Manpower can, by order in the Gazette, exempt any class of workplaces or persons from the application of all or certain provisions of the Act. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether consultations have been held with the representative organizations of employers and workers concerned regarding these exclusions. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further information on the reasons for this exclusion, to further describe the measures taken to give adequate protection to the excluded categories of workers, and to indicate in subsequent reports any progress towards a wider application of the OSH framework. It further requests the Government to indicate if any classes of workplaces or workers have been exempted by the WSH Act, pursuant to section 62 of the Act.

Article 2(3) of Convention No. 187. Measures that could be taken, in consultation with social partners, to ratify relevant OSH Conventions. Following its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the ratification of Convention No. 155 in 2019 was undertaken in consultation with the social partners. Taking due note of this information, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which consideration is given to measures that could be taken to ratify relevant OSH Conventions.

B . Protection in specific branches of activity

Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45)

The Committee recalls that the ILO Governing Body (at its 334th Session, October–November 2018), on the recommendation of the Standards Review Mechanism (SRM) Tripartite Working Group, classified Convention No. 45 as an outdated instrument, and placed an item on the agenda of the 112th Session (2024) of the International Labour Conference regarding the abrogation of the Convention. The Governing Body also requested the Office to follow up with member States currently bound by Convention No. 45 to encourage the ratification of up-to-date instruments related to OSH, including the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176), and to undertake a campaign to promote the ratification of Convention No. 176. The Committee therefore encourages the Government to follow up on the Governing Body’s decision at its 334th Session (October–November 2018) approving the recommendations of the SRM Tripartite Working Group, and to consider ratifying the most up-to-date instruments in this subject area.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

The Committee notes the detailed information supplied in the Government’s first report. It notes in particular with interest the extensive list of legislation and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) 2018 national strategy for workplace safety and health, which provide for a comprehensive national system for occupational safety and health (OSH). It also welcomes the commitment of the Government and the social partners to OSH issues and their efforts to develop a culture of prevention.

Article 2(2) of the Convention. Taking into account the principles set out in relevant ILO instruments. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the principles set out in the ILO instruments relevant to the promotional framework for OSH have been taken into account. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the manner in which it takes into account the principles set out in the instruments of the ILO relevant to the promotional framework for OSH (listed in the Annex of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006 (No. 197)).

Article 2(3). Measures that could be taken, in consultation with social partners, to ratify relevant OSH Conventions. The Committee notes that the Government indicates that the International Advisory Panel provides advice on improvements that can be made in order to bring the country’s OSH standards to the same levels as leading countries, but that no information is provided with regard to the possible ratification of relevant OSH Conventions. The Committee requests the Government to take appropriate steps so as to ensure that periodic consideration is given to measures that could be taken to ratify relevant ILO OSH Conventions, and to provide information on the consultations held in this respect during the period covered by the next report.

Article 4(3)(c). Provision of OSH training. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the WSH Council works closely with the Workforce Development Agency and the Ministry of Manpower to improve OSH competency within the workforce through the WSH Professionals Workforce Skills Qualifications and WSH Trade Competency frameworks. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the provision of OSH training, particularly with regard to the content of the training and to whom this training is provided.

Article 4(3)(d). Occupational health services. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that OSH professionals, namely physicians and occupational hygienists provide services which include the monitoring, evaluation and control of occupational hazards, conducting medical examinations and managing work-related injuries and diseases. The Committee also notes that Total Workplace Safety and Health, an integrated approach to managing OSH, is being developed. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the manner in which occupational health services are provided, in practice, and to provide detailed information on the development and implementation of the Total Workplace Safety and Health approach.

Article 4(3)(g). Collaboration with relevant insurance and social security schemes. The Committee notes that the Work Injury Compensation Act requires employers to subscribe to compensation insurance for workers involved in manual labour and for non-manual labour workers who earn less than 1,600 Singapore dollars (SGD) monthly. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on relevant insurance or social security schemes for non-manual labour workers who earn more than SGD1,600 monthly.

Article 5(2)(b). Elimination or minimization of work-related hazards and risks. The Committee notes that, in addition to the WSH 2018 strategy which was developed to establish a progressive and pervasive safety and health culture, the Government indicates that it is developing strategies for the promotion of Vision Zero, a concept aimed towards the adoption of the mind-set that all injuries and ill-health arising from work are preventable and that cooperation is the key to prevention. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the concept of Vision Zero and its implementation in practice.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the information provided on the application in practice of the Convention, particularly with regard to the WSH 2018 strategy. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice and to provide, where such statistics exist, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, and the number, nature and cause of accidents and cases of occupational disease reported.