Discussion Forum

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is taking a new approach to tackle shortfalls in work safety and health practices with the introduction of Snap@MOM. A smart phone application available on iPhone and Android devices, Snap@MOM allows members of the public to be involved in reporting any unsafe work acts or good work practices witnessed. 

The launch of the app is in line with this year’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council’s campaign theme on ‘Stop the Assumptions, Stop Work Accidents’. Said Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister of State (Manpower and National Development) at the launch of the National WSH Campaign yesterday, “Such active citizenry efforts will help employers take the corrective actions needed to improve WSH conditions in the workplace.”

Users of the app can contribute feedback by taking a photo of an unsafe workplace act such as a worker working from height without a safety harness, identify their location using the app's Global Positioning System, insert a short description and proceed to submit their feedback.  The feedback goes straight to MOM, and will be sent to the occupiers of the workplace if they are registered on the app. 

Another Ministry that will be actively utilizing social media for citizen engagement is the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR). It uses platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to broadcast real-time information on water levels as well as CCTV images of flood-prone areas, while monitoring netizens’ messages for updates.  

Along with the launch of Snap@MOM, MOM also announced the introduction of a professional qualification for occupational hygiene officers. The Occupational Hygiene Professionals WSQ Framework will train occupational safety and health professionals to address muli-disciplinary workplace health issues and offer a specialist diploma as a qualification under the framework. 

 “As our workforce and public make conscious efforts to rectify unsafe work practices, we can build a sustainable safety culture in our workplaces and achieve lasting improvements,” said Mr Tan. 

Read the speech delivered by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin  at the Launch of National WSH Campaign 2012.