Written By: SCAL Academy
Date: 28 March 2024
Topic: WSH Compliance and Auditing
In March 2024, the Top Executives WSH Programme (TEWP) introduced a pivotal change in workplace safety regulations, mandating participation for top executives across several industries. This blog aims to demystify the TEWP, specifically focusing on which industries are required to comply and addressing the question of exemptions.
From March 1, 2024, it has become compulsory for at least one top executive (CEO or Board Director responsible for Workplace Safety and Health, WSH) in firms within certain sectors to complete the TEWP. The sectors identified as requiring compliance are notably high-risk, including construction, manufacturing, transport & storage, and marine industries. But how do you determine if your company falls within these sectors? It's all in the details of your Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code as submitted to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
The requirement hinges on the specific SSIC 2020 codes associated with your company. Here's a breakdown:
Construction: SSIC codes F41-43
Manufacturing: SSIC codes C10-32 (excluding C301)
Marine: SSIC codes C301, H52252, H52225
Transport & Storage: SSIC codes H49-53 (excluding H52252 and H52225)
If your company’s activities fall under any of these classifications, participation in the TEWP is mandated.
Another aspect that determines the need for TEWP compliance relates to your workforce composition, specifically if your company employs work pass holders. If you have employment pass, 'S' pass, and work permit holders engaged in construction, manufacturing, marine, or process sectors (as per your company’s SSIC declared to the Ministry of Manpower's Work Pass Division), TEWP completion becomes mandatory for at least one of your top executives.
It’s crucial for companies operating in these high-risk sectors to note that there are no exemptions from attending the Top Executive WSH Programme. The initiative aims to ensure that those at the highest level of decision-making are well-versed in the principles and practices of workplace safety and health, reinforcing the importance of leadership in fostering a safe working environment.
The introduction of the TEWP requirement marks a significant step forward in Singapore's commitment to workplace safety, particularly in industries where the risk of accidents and injuries is higher. By mandating the involvement of top executives, the program seeks to instill a top-down approach to safety, ensuring that those at the helm are directly invested in the welfare of their employees. For companies in the construction, manufacturing, transport & storage, and marine sectors, understanding and complying with the TEWP is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, underscoring the vital role of leadership in the pursuit of a safer workplace for all.
0.0 Day Course
Training Hours – 0.0 hours
English
For more information, please contact Ms Tan Wei Xuan at 67978779 or email weixuan@scal-academy.com.sg
“The training provided by SCAL’s experienced and knowledgeable trainers has equipped me with an excellent grasp of construction safety and allowed me to enhance worksite safety in Woh Hup”
“The course content is very relevant to my daily work and I will definitely recommend this course to my colleagues with design background at SCAL Academy.”
“SCAL Academy has a good understanding of how the industry works and the training is much better aligned with practical needs. The trainer also exhibited fantastic content knowledge and this enabled me to apply the concepts to my work.””
