Written By: SCAL Academy
Date: 28 March 2024
Topic: WSH Compliance and Auditing
The Top Executive WSH Programme (TEWP) plays a pivotal role in enhancing workplace safety, mandating the participation of top executives from companies in high-risk industries. This initiative aims to ensure that those at the helm of an organization are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to uphold and promote safety standards. Understanding who needs to attend TEWP is crucial for compliance and fostering a culture of safety within the organization.
At the core of TEWP's requirements is the mandate that at least one top executive — specifically, the CEO or a Board Director responsible for Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) — must complete the programme. This requirement applies to all companies operating within the designated high-risk sectors, irrespective of their size or the number of employees.
While the mandatory requirement specifies attendance by at least one top executive, the encouragement extends to all senior executives and Board Directors. This inclusive approach aims to deepen the understanding and commitment to safety across the senior leadership team, promoting a comprehensive safety culture within the organization.
The programme welcomes participation from other senior roles within the organization, such as COOs, CFOs, Project Directors, or Heads of Department, recognizing the value of widespread safety education. However, their attendance does not fulfill the mandatory requirement meant for CEOs and Board Directors.
It's important to note that the director attending the TEWP does not need to be registered as a director of the company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). The focus is on the individual's role and responsibilities related to WSH, rather than their registration status.
The responsibility for the principles and measures under the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for chief executives and board directors’ WSH Duties must lie with a member of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive. This cannot be delegated to individuals not holding these positions (e.g Safety officers and/or project managers).
Overseas Directors: If a CEO or Board Director responsible for WSH is stationed overseas, they are still required to complete the TEWP, with provisions for online participation. In cases where obtaining a SingPass is not feasible, the completion requirement may be delegated to a top decision-making officer based in Singapore.
Representing Multiple Entities: A CEO or Board Director overseeing multiple entities can fulfill the TEWP requirement for all these entities through a single participation. However, subsidiaries with different CEOs or Board Directors need to ensure separate compliance.
Assigning Multiple Directors for ACOP: Companies are permitted to assign multiple Board Directors to be responsible for individual principles and measures under ACOP, enabling a division of safety responsibilities among the leadership team.
The TEWP sets a precedent in emphasizing the role of leadership in fostering a safe working environment. By clarifying the participation requirements and encouraging broad engagement among senior executives, the programme aims to instill a top-down approach to workplace safety, ensuring that the highest levels of leadership are actively involved in promoting and upholding safety standards.
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