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Workplace safety and health are crucial for businesses, employees, and society at large. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their employees work in a safe and healthy environment, and employees have a right to work in a safe workplace. In Singapore, bizSAFE is a program designed to help companies improve their workplace safety and health standards. In this article, we will delve into the details of the bizSAFE program and explore its benefits, requirements, and processes.
bizSAFE is a national program launched by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore in 2007. It aims to help companies improve their workplace safety and health standards, reduce accidents and injuries, and create a safer working environment for employees. The program is a joint initiative between MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, a tripartite body comprising representatives from the government, unions, and employers.
Workplace accidents and injuries can have serious consequences for companies, employees, and society at large. They can result in loss of life, injuries, property damage, and loss of productivity. They can also damage a company's reputation, attract legal and financial liabilities, and affect employee morale and well-being. By implementing the bizSAFE program, companies can improve their safety and health standards, reduce accidents and injuries, and create a culture of safety and health in the workplace.
The bizSAFE program is a step-by-step approach to improving workplace safety and health. It consists of five levels, each with its own set of requirements and criteria. To obtain bizSAFE certification, companies must fulfil the requirements of each level and pass an audit by an approved WSH auditor.
The five levels of bizSAFE are:
bizSAFE Level 1
bizSAFE Level 2
bizSAFE Level 3
bizSAFE Level 4
bizSAFE STAR
There are five types of bizSAFE certification:
Your company's top management must obtain a Certificate of Attendance by attending the bizSAFE Level 1 Workshop for CEOs/ Top Management, which will be conducted as a half-day workshop, or an e-learning course.
To start the bizSAFE journey, the top management of the enterprise must show commitment into safety. This is a half day Workshop for Company CEO and Top Management. It covers the requirements for achiveing bizSAFE Level 1 under bizSAFE Programme. At the end of the workshop, the management commitment of the participating companies will be demonstrated by endorsing the WSH policy of the company.
Your company must obtain a WSQ Statement of Attainment for the "Develop Risk Management Implementation Plan" course.
To continue the safety journey to Level 2, the enterprise must appoint a Risk Management Champion to attend bizSAFE course on Risk Management Course. At the end of the course, the Risk Management Champion is to assist the enterprise in developing the Risk Management Plan.
Your company must have one of the following:
Risk Management Audit Report
Singapore Contractors Association Ltd's (SCAL's) Singapore List of Trade Subcontractors (SLOTS) membership certificate, together with the company Safety & Green Management Assessment Scheme (SgMA) certificate
Joint Commission International (JCI) certificate
Responsible Care Award winner
To achieve bizSAFE Level 3, the enterprise must implement the Risk Management Plan. Upon implementation of the plan, SC2, as an approved independent auditor will access and evaluate your Risk Management Plan according to Workplace Safety & Health (Risk Management) Regulations.
Your company must obtain bizSAFE Level 3 Certification and one of the following:
WSQ Statement of Attainment for "Develop a Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) Implementation Plan" course
WSQ Statement of Attainment for "Workplace Safety and Health System Management" course
Attained WSH-related qualifications acceptable by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Registered Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Officer Licence with MOM
For Level 4, the enterprise is to appoint at least one Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) Programme leader / representative to attend the bizSAFE course on WSHMS.
your company must submit one of the following certifications with a Risk Management Audit Report:
Singapore Standard S651; or
ISO 45001 issued/ awarded by a certification body, accredited by Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC); or
ISO 45001 issued/ awarded by a cortication body, accredited by an accreditation body recognised under Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).
To achieve bizSAFE STAR, the enterprise must implement a Workplace Safety and Health Management System (WSHMS) in compliance with the WSH Act and certified to ISO 45001 accredited by Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) or its equivalent. Complementing with a Risk Management Audit Report, the enterprise can submit the relevant documents to apply for bizSAFE Star recognition.
Enterprises seeking to obtain a bizSAFE certification are required to submit their applications through the official WSH Council website. During the application process, enterprises have the option to choose the suitable bizSAFE level that aligns with their operational requirements. Subsequently, they must submit all the necessary and relevant documents for approval. This streamlined procedure ensures a systematic and efficient assessment of their safety and health management systems, leading to the successful acquisition of the bizSAFE certifications.
bizSAFE certification is valid for three years from the date of certification. To renew their certification, companies must undergo a recertification audit and demonstrate that they have maintained their workplace safety and health standards.
SCAL Academy is a training center that provides various courses and certifications related to workplace safety and health. Among the certifications it offers are the bizSAFE level 1 and level 2 certifications. SCAL Academy's certification courses for bizSAFE level 1 and level 2 provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement workplace safety and health measures in their organizations. These certifications are essential for companies that want to enhance their workplace safety and health standards.
Obtaining bizSAFE certification offers several benefits for companies, including:
Comply with Risk Management Regulations
Increase Business Competitive Edge
Gain Better Corporate Branding
Create a Safer and Healthier Workplace for Employees
Go on Free Learning Journeys
Receive Special Invites to Conventions and Forums
There are several misconceptions about the bizSAFE program, including:
bizSAFE certification is expensive and time-consuming.
Only large companies can obtain bizSAFE certification.
bizSAFE certification is only necessary for high-risk industries.
bizSAFE certification is only for compliance purposes and does not add value to the company.
These misconceptions are not true. The bizSAFE program is designed to be accessible and affordable for companies of all sizes and industries. The program offers several benefits for companies, including improved workplace safety and health standards, reduced accidents and injuries, and enhanced reputation and credibility.
Implementing the bizSAFE program can be challenging for companies, especially those that lack resources or expertise in workplace safety and health management. Some of the challenges include:
Lack of awareness and understanding of the program
Resistance to change and adoption of new practices
Lack of resources and expertise in workplace safety and health management
Lack of commitment and support from top management
To overcome the challenges of implementing the bizSAFE program, companies can adopt the following best practices:
Develop a clear understanding of the program and its benefits
Create a culture of safety and health in the workplace
Provide adequate resources and training for employees
Involve employees in the implementation process
Obtain commitment and support from top management
The bizSAFE program is an important initiative by the Singapore government to promote workplace safety and health in the country. The program offers several benefits for companies, including improved workplace safety and health standards, reduced accidents and injuries, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and enhanced reputation and credibility. Obtaining bizSAFE certification is a step-by-step process that involves several stages, including Risk Management, Risk Assessment, Risk Control, and Implementation of a WSH Management System. Although implementing the bizSAFE program can be challenging for companies, adopting best practices such as developing a clear understanding of the program, creating a culture of safety and health, providing adequate resources and training, involving employees, and obtaining commitment and support from top management can help companies overcome these challenges and achieve their certification goals.
A: The cost of obtaining bizSAFE certification varies depending on the level of certification and the size of the company.
A: The time it takes to obtain bizSAFE certification depends on the level of certification and the readiness of the company. On average, it can take several months to a year to obtain certification.
A: bizSAFE certification is not mandatory, but it is recommended for companies that want to improve their workplace safety and health standards and enhance their reputation and credibility.
A: Yes, small companies can obtain bizSAFE certification. The program is designed to be accessible and affordable for companies of all sizes.
A: No, a company cannot skip a level of bizSAFE certification. The program is designed to be a step-by-step process that builds on the previous level of certification.
For more information, please contact Mr Jia hao at 67939020 or email jiahao@scal-academy.com.sg
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