NTUC aims to train up to 500 union leaders in workplace risk assessment to support their companies in Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) in the next two years.
This was announced by NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and WSH Director Melvin Yong at the U Safe Forum and Awards Ceremony held on 15 October 2018 at the NTUC Centre.
“NTUC will continue to advocate, outreach and engage our union leaders, workers and management partners to send a strong signal that we are serious in our mission to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities,” said Mr Yong, addressing some 200 guests comprising government, union and employer representatives.
He added that WSH is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone – government, unions, employers and every worker.
Singapore’s workplace fatal injury rate fell to a 13-year low from 1.9 in 2016 to 1.2 per 100,000 employees in 2017.
The unionised sector has also seen a steady decline in workplace fatal injuries over the past few years, according to NTUC.
“These improvements do not come about by chance. They can be attributed to the persistent efforts by our unions and union leaders, working closely with the management, to raise safety awareness at the workplaces. They encourage near-miss reporting, and they walk the talk when it comes to workplace safety and health,” said Mr Yong.
NTUC also recognised four unions and four small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the event for their efforts in making their workplaces safer and healthier.
The Labour Movement WSH Advocate Award was given to Healthcare Services Employees’ Union and the Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees' Union.
The category recognises unions that promote and support WSH initiatives at the workplace.
Meanwhile, Keppel FELS Employees Union and Natsteel Employees Union were given the Labour Movement WSH Champion Award.
U SME partners Feinmetall Singapore, Samgreen, Shalom Movers and Barcook Bakery were conferred the U SME WSH Partner Award.
The award category is for U SME partners who invest in WSH training of their workers, improve their WSH processes continually, implement best practices and demonstrate good WSH leadership to ensure the safety of their workers.
