Singapore Association Adopts Enhanced Workplace Safety Standards

The Singapore Manufacturers' Federation (SMA) reports it has adopted enhanced workplace safety standards to minimize accidents and raise productivity. The revised codes of practice will affect about 2,800 of its members.

The first revision covers manual operations. It has been expanded to include the latest practices, so workers can avoid injuries from such activities.

The second covers equipment safety procedures. It has been updated to require employers to enforce a policy for machines to have locking systems.

This means a machine cannot be used until lockout devices have been removed for safety. More training is also on the cards to get workers familiar with safety practices.

James See, assistant secretary-general of the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation, noted, “In training sessions, we can actually have more practical sessions as to how things can be done, and also real-life examples of what mistakes have been made in certain sites like construction sites or in factories. With that, people would learn without having to make the same mistake.”

The last time the safety practices were reviewed was over a decade ago.

Moving ahead, more codes of practices will be reviewed so employers can all be on the same page when it comes to keeping the employees safe.

The SMA was first established in 1932. Its main aim is to champion the Singapore manufacturing sector. Its mission is to represent the interest of the Singapore manufacturing community and to drive its competitiveness and sustainable growth through serving industry-specific needs.[WCx]

SMA is supported by 11 industry groups to serve diverse industry-specific needs, as well as five Centers of Excellence to offer its members a holistic approach towards improving competitiveness, upgrading skills and capitalizing on new technologies. With a membership of more than 2,800 corporate members ranging from MNCs to SMEs, SMA carries out a myriad of activities to enhance the competitive edge of its members.

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