English - Workplace Safety and Health Council

a step by step approach 

to workplace safety and 

health excellence

2 

Contents 

Introduction 

• Let’s bizSAFE 

• What is bizSAFE? 

• bizSAFE Benefi ts 

• bizSAFE Success Stories 

How to use this Toolkit 

Steps for Level 1 

• Demonstrate Top Management Commitment 

• Workplace Safety and Health Policy 

• Checklist for bizSAFE Level 1 


• Acquire Risk Management Capability 



• Conduct Risk Assessment and Implement 

Risk Management Plan 



• Acquire Capabilty to Manage Workplace 

Safety and Health 


Steps for Star Level 

• Deliver Excellence in Workplace Safety and 

Health Management System 

• Checklist for bizSAFE Star Level 

How to Sustain your Achievements 

Glossary and Directory 

• Glossary 

• Useful Information on Safety and Health 

• List of Approved bizSAFE Service Providers 

Acknowledgements

Introduction 

Let’s bizSAFE 

Safety and health comes fi rst among the core 

functions in a business management process. As 

the management team, you are obliged to ensure 

the safety and health of your staff . 

Take a look at successful companies; they have 

good safety and health controls. It is a sound 

management practice to adopt to protect your 

investment. The most important asset of a 

company is its people and ensuring their safety 

and health should be the topmost responsibility 

of the management team. It is also a legal 

obligation. 

Eff ective workplace safety and health 

management will improve a company’s 

performance by contributing to: 

Better service delivery 

Improved productivity during operations 

Reduction in management time spent on 

fi re-fi ghting 

Enhanced staff morale 

Increased likelihood of change initiatives 

being achieved 

More focus internally on doing the right 

things properly 

Better basis for strategy setting 

Achievement of competitive advantage 

Fewer sudden shocks and unwelcome 

surprises 

More effi cient use of resources 

Reduced waste and misunderstanding, and 

better value for money 

Improved innovation 

Better management of contingencies and 

maintenance activities 

See how it makes good business sense? With 

enough knowledge, resources and skills, you can 

include safety and health into your workplace. 

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What is bizSAFE? 

The bizSAFE programme promotes workplace safety and health through the recognition of your 

safety and health eff orts. There are fi ve diff erent levels to achieve. 

5Deliver 

Excellence 

in WSH 

management 

System 

4 

Acquire Capability in 

Managing WSH Systematically 

3 

Implement Risk Management 

2 

Acquire Risk Management Capability 

1 

Demonstrate Top Management Commitment 

Involvement 

Recognition

izSAFE benefi ts? 

The bizSAFE programme provides several benefi ts: 

Benefi ts Yes 

Gain business opportunities? √ 

Improve safety and health? √ 

Easy to implement? √ 

Guidance provided? √ 

Step by step approach? √ 

Voluntary? √ 

Be it enterprises, partners, mentors or service providers there are many advantages 

to participating in the bizSAFE programme and they are: 

Enterprises • Recognition by bizSAFE partners 

• Benefi ts from participating insurers and fi nancial institutions 

• Increased competitive edge against business rivals 

• Guidance from bizSAFE mentors 

• Advice and assistance from fellow members who have 

successfully integrated safety with profi tability 

Partners • Safer and more productive suppliers 

• Ability to better access workplace safety and health 

performance of business partners 

• Safe work environment for landlords 

• Reduced business costs and downtime 

• Positive corporate image 

• Being a part of a bigger bizSAFE community 

• Play a part in corporate social responsibility 

Mentors • Opportunity to impact WSH culture inter/intra industry 


• Opportunity to coach business partners 

• Reduced business costs and more up time 

• Positive corporate image 

• Play a part in corporate social responsibility 

• Recognition as bizSAFE mentors 

Service Providers • Step-by-step approach to assist bizSAFE companies 

• Create more business opportunities 


• Positive company image 

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bizSAFE success stories 

bizSAFE enterprises 

“The bizSAFE programme makes business sense 

because our clients see how we are better than 

others. The programme also provides easy steps 

to show management commitment. Working 

safely is fundamental to caring for everyone, 

to demonstrating good management and to 

achieving business success. It provides a means 

to know how good our practices are, compared to 

industrial practices. 

Guided by a consultant, we spent just a little sum 

on making things better. We found that bizSAFE 

is a step by step programme to safety and health, 

and is very fl exible. You can imagine how we save 

a lot with this meaningful investment; it would be 

costly if an accident happens.” 

Mr. Neo Ah Sin 

R & D Manager S Team (Singapore) 

“Just as with brewing good coff ee, we need 

to know the right method and how to get it 

consistently. We found bizSAFE useful because it 

is a model to guide our company to improve from 

grade ‘A’ to ‘AA’ standard and has inspired us to go 

for the best in safety and health. Our staff morale 

is getting better and better.” 

Ms Loh Lai Sim 

HR Manager, Snap on Tools Singapore 

“bizSAFE benefi ts the relationship between staff 

and management. Our staff is now well aware of 

the safety systems and are proud to practise it. We 

enjoy accreditation by WSH Council; this allows us 

to have better business opportunities and in turn 

drives us to become safer and healthier. Through 

the implementation and the documentation of the 

management system, we are in better control.” 

Jennifer Koh, Director 

JGE Builders

“Engagement in safety and health eff orts is one 

of the key achievements from the programme. 

This means giving us access to useful information, 

guided approaches to safety and health matters, 

as well as the opportunity to share events and 

issues in daily work. This provides a good platform 

to fi nd appropriate solutions, with everyone 

actively contributing ideas to work together.” 

Mr Yap Thiam Meng 

Operations Manager, B.S.K. Stevedoring 

“Being an active player in safety demonstrates 

our commitment towards safety. We believe 

that other consumers will be more inclined to 

do business with us. Our management and staff 

support bizSAFE. We always believe that being 

a safety conscious company means “We care for 

our workers” and our workers acknowledge the 

company’s concern for their safety and health.” 

Mr. S.Pannir 

Project Manager, HongRong Engineering 

bizSAFE partner 

“bizSAFE enables us to become closer to our 

vendors and business associates; we excel in 

safety and health together. By setting the right 

direction and demonstrating commitment, 

everyone becomes an advocate of safety and 

health.” 

bizSAFE mentor 

Mr. Ng Kok Wee 

Fire Safety Manager, Jurong Port 

“bizSAFE is a good investment. We have seen our 

business associates working on it; some of them 

are now reaching Level 2. We have seen good 

behaviour, for example our staff check their work 

in greater detail. Being the staff of a company 

granted bizSAFE mentor status, we have to take 

the lead and be even better.” 

Mr. Ong Ann Pang 

Manager, Cameron (Singapore) 

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HOW TO USE 

THIS TOOLKIT

How to Use this Toolkit 

The toolkit is designed so that you can work 

through the content in a step by step manner 

and use checklists after each bizSAFE level to 

ensure that tasks are done correctly. 

You can also use the checklists in the Self-Check 

Tool Booklet to assess how good your current 

safety and health management practices are. 

Read and understand 

Plan your work 

Organise your tasks and resources 

Ask when help is needed 

Understand the Programme 

Master the Steps 

Keep Up to Date 

and Reference 

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STEPS FOR 

LEVEL 1


Demonstrate top management commitment 

The demonstration of top management commitment provides motivation for companies such as 

small and medium enterprises to improve their workplace safety and health (WSH) capabilities. For the 

bizSAFE mentors the appointment is a strong endorsement of their organisation’s WSH performance 

and leadership. Through them, small and medium enterprises can observe fi rst-hand, the benefi ts of 

good WSH practices and be infl uenced to improve their capabilities. 

As the fi rst step in the bizSAFE journey, top management have to: 

Attend the bizSAFE CEO course 

Prepare a safety and health policy 

Approve the policy 

Show commitment to the policy 

Communicate the policy 

A good safety and health policy is essential to describe the values and approach of the company and 

to provide direction on safety and health management. 

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Workplace safety and health policy 

Study this sample safety and health policy and prepare your own version in the next page. 

WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY 

ABC Company is a leading consumer product factory in the metal industry. We are 

committed to providing staff , contractors and visitors with a healthy and safe environment. 

This policy applies to the company premises, activities of the company and controlled 

equipment. 

The company strives, through a process of continuous improvement, to fully integrate 

health and safety into all aspects of its activities. This will be achieved by: 

Implementing and maintaining a framework that ensures the systematic management 

of health and safety throughout all sites and workplaces and compliance with legal and 

other requirements; 

Setting measurable objectives and targets aimed at controlling higher risk activities and 

increasing awareness of health and safety. 

Our principal goal is to improve health and safety management and to eliminate injuries 

and illnesses in our workplaces. 

We promote a proactive health and safety management philosophy based on eff ective 

communication and consultation, the systematic identifi cation, assessment and control of 

hazards and the encouragement of innovation. 

CDE 

Managing Director 

ABC Company 

June 2008 

company logo

WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY 

Managing Director 

Date 

company logo 

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Checklist for bizSAFE Level 1 

Prepare a safety and health policy Yes 

Is the safety policy specifi c enough to describe the scope for your company? √ 

Does the Workplace Safety and Health Policy describe commitment to 

incident reduction? 

Does the company policy set clear goals and performance targets for 

workplace safety and health? 

Does the Workplace Safety and Health Policy mention the direction to 

improve safety performance? 

Is the Workplace Safety and Health Policy signed by top management and 

dated? 

Has the method to communicate the Workplace Safety and Health Policy to 

staff been decided? 

√ 

√ 

√ 

√ 

√

STEPS FOR 

LEVEL 2 

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Acquire Risk Management Capability 

Attend and pass a 2-day risk management training course conducted by an accredited 

training provider 

Understand risk assessment methodology 

Develop skills on risk assessment 

Get prepared for the risk assessment 


Risk Management Skills Development Yes 

Is there a process to form a risk management team? √ 

Are there hazard identifi cation methods? √ 

Are there risk evaluation methods? √ 

Are there communication methods for control measures? √ 

Has a risk management plan been prepared? √ 

Have risk control measures been included in the risk management plan? √

STEPS FOR 

LEVEL 3 

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Conduct risk assessment and implement 

the risk management plan 

Form a risk assessment team 

Establish a work inventory 

Identify hazards and evaluate risks 

Develop controls 

Implement controls according to risk level 

Update residual risks in the risk register 

Arrange for risk communication 

Arrange for an external audit

Checklist for Identifying Hazards 

Do these hazards exist in your workplace? Yes 

Slip and fall hazards? 

Chemical hazards? 

Machinery hazards? 

Fall from height hazards? 

Electrical hazards? 

Falling object hazards? 

Lifting hazards? 

Fire and explosive hazards? 

Confi ned space hazards? 

Write down other hazards in your workplace in the space below: 

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Risk Assessment and Risk Management Yes 

Are the members of the risk assessment team from diff erent job functions? √ 

Has a work inventory been established? √ 

Do the identifi ed hazards cover all activities and areas of the workplace? √ 

Are the controls developed using the hierarchy of risk control approach? √ 

Are the residual risks updated? √ 

Are the risk control policy and reasons to support risk management reviewed? √

STEPS FOR 

LEVEL 4 

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Acquire capability in managing workplace safety and health 

systematically 

Identify a Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) leader 

The leader has to attend and pass a 4-day WSHMS course 

Develop the WSHMS 


Workplace Safety and Health Management System Capability Yes 

Has a WSHMS leader been appointed? √ 

Did the WSHMS leader attend and pass the 4-day WSHMS Course? √ 

Was the WSHMS developed? √ 

Is there evidence showing that the WSHMS is being implemented? √

STEPS FOR 

ST R LEVEL 

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Steps for Star Level 

Deliver excellence in WSHMS 

Pass an independent third party audit – Implement Workplace Safety and Health Management 

System (WSHMS), pass an independent third party audit, which meets SS506 or its equivalent. 

Checklist for bizSAFE STAR Level 

Implementation - Workplace Safety and Health Management System Yes 

Has a WSHMS been implemented? √ 

Was there any WSHMS audit conducted by an external auditing fi rm? √ 

Has your organisation passed the external audit? √

HOW TO 

SUSTAIN YOUR 

ACHIEVEMENTS 

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How to sustain your achievements 

Simplify work processes 

Eliminate hazards 

Actively use risk assessment to improve conditions 

Monitor progress 

Get involvement 

Demonstrate and share improvements 

Develop a risk communication process

GLOSSARY 

AND DIRECTORY 

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Glossary and Directory 

Term Defi nition 

Contractors A person engaged by another person (referred to as principal) otherwise 

than under a contract of service: 

a) to supply any labour for gain or reward; or 

b) to do any work for gain or reward, 

in connection with any trade, business, profession or undertaking 

carried on by the other person. 

Hazard Anything or any source or situation with the potential to cause harm or 

injury. Hazards may be classifi ed as: 

• Chemical, eg. acids, alkalis, solvents; 

• Biological, eg. bacteria, fungi and viruses; 

• Electrical, eg. frayed wires; 

• Ergonomic, eg. repetitive work, awkward postures, prolonged 

standing; 

• Mechanical, eg. damaged equipment, forklifts, cranes, overhead 

cranes, power press; 

• Physical, eg. excessive noise, heat, radiation; 

• Psychosocial, eg. overwork, poor supervision. 

Likelihood Probability or frequency of an event occurring 

Principal A person who, in connection with any trade, business, profession or 

undertaking carried by him, engages any other person otherwise than 

under a contract of service: 

a) to supply any labour for gain or reward; or 

b) to do any work for gain or reward. 

Risk Likelihood that a hazard will cause a specifi c harm or injury to someone 

or something. More specifi cally, it is the likelihood of accidents or illhealth 

occurring at work and the consequences of such occurrences. 

Risk Assessment Occupational safety and health risk assessment is the process of 

identifying hazards, evaluating the risks, and determining the 

appropriate options for risk control.

Term Defi nition 

Risk Management Occupational safety and health risk management involves the 

assessment of risks associated with any work activity 

or trade, control and monitoring of such risks, as well as communicating 

these risks. 

Safety and Health 

Management Systems 

(OSHMS) 

OSHMS is part of the overall management system that facilitates the 

management of the safety and health risks associated with the business 

of the organisation. 

This includes organisational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, 

practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, 

implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the organisation’s 

OSH policy. (Source: SS506: OSH Management System) 

Safe Work Procedures Step-by-step procedures of doing or carrying out work safely. 

Self-Employed Person A person who works for gain or reward otherwise than under a contract of 

service, whether or not employing others. 

Severity Degree or extent of injury or harm caused by a hazard, or as a result of an 

accident. 

Subcontractor A person engaged by any contractor or subcontractor: 

a) To supply any labour for gain or reward; or 

b) To do any work for gain or reward, which the contractor or 

subcontractor has been engaged as contractor or subcontractor. 

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Useful information on safety and health 

Safety and Health Information portals for occupational safety and health 

Website (MOM): 

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/ 

workplace_ safety_and_health/maintaining_a_safe_workplace.html 

Website (WSH Council): 

http://www.wshc.sg 

Legislations Hardcopies of Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, Acts and 

Guidelines 

Toppan Leefung Pte Ltd. 

Legal Publishing 

1 Kim Seng Promenade #18-01/06 

Great World City East Tower 

Singapore 237994 

Website: http://www2.toppanleefung.com/webshop/ 

Available for download at: 


http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/legislation/ 

occupational_ safety_and_health.html 

Email: mom_oshd@mom.gov.sg

Code of Practice (CP) SPRING Singapore 

Information Resource Centre 

2 Bukit Merah Central #04-00 S159835 

Tel 6279 3920 

Website: http://www.singaporestandardseshop.sg/product/home.aspx 

Accident Case Studies/ 

WSH Alerts 

Safety Programmes Website (WSH Council): 

http://www.wshc.sg 

Accredited Service 

Providers 

Website (WSH Council): 

https://www.wshc.sg/wps/portal/resourcescasestudies?openMenu=-1 


http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities 

workplace_ safety_and_health/maintaining_a_safe_workplace/ 

programme-based_engagement.html 


http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities 

workplace_safety_and_health/service_and_equipment.html 

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Acknowledgements 

MA Builders Pte Ltd 

James G.A Ang, Managing Director 

San Keong Construction Pte Ltd 

Sam Loh, Director (posed photo) 

Cactus Engineering & Trading Pte Ltd 

Tham Cheong On, General Manager (posed photo) 

Dockers Marine Pte Ltd 

Selva Raj, Director-Operations 

Multiheight Scaff olding Pte Ltd 

Francis Ho, Managing Director 

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Reprinted in October 2010 by the 

Workplace Safety and Health Council 

All rights reserved. This publication may not be 

reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any 

means, in whole or in part, without prior written 

permission. The information provided in this kit 

is accurate as at time of printing. As a guide this 

publication has no legal standing. The Workplace 

Safety and Health Council does not accept any 

liability or responsibility to any party for losses or 

damage arising from following this publication.

English - Workplace Safety and Health Council

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