Public Consultation on Proposed Amendments to WSH (General Provisions) Regulations

Ministry of Manpower - Occupational Safety and Health Division

Consultation Period: 04 Jul 2011 - 17 Jul 2011

Status: Closed - Summary of Responses

Consultation Outcome

We regret that we will not be able to individually address or acknowledge every comment we receive. However, we will consolidate and publish a summary of the key comments received, together with our responses, on the REACH website following the close of the consultation exercise. The summary will not disclose the identity of person(s) providing the feedback, to maintain confidentiality of the feedback received.

Summary

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is inviting members of the public to give feedback on the proposed enhancements to the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations.

Detailed Description

AIM
1. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is inviting members of the public to give feedback on the proposed enhancements to the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations.

BACKGROUND

2. In 2006, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act was enacted, replacing the former Factories Act. Along with the main Act, several subsidiary legislations were also enacted to support the new WSH framework, including the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations.

3. The current coverage of the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations is only applicable to factories. In line with the extension of the WSH Act to all workplaces by September 2011, the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations will also be amended to cover all workplaces. It is also timely to review the provisions of the Regulations to update and align them under the new regime.

PRINCIPLES OF REVIEW

4. The purpose of this review is to update and align the provisions in the Regulations to the WSH Act. This includes:

(a) Reviewing the existing Regulations to establish whether it is still valid under the new regime with the extension of the Act to all workplaces by September 2011; and

(b) Updating the Regulations and making them less prescriptive.

PROPOSED CHANGES

5. The amendments to Regulations are as as follows:

(a) Statutory inspection of pressure vessels. To leverage on technological advancements and promote greater industry ownership of management of pressure vessel, MOM proposes to:

(i) allow the statutory inspection of pressure vessels to be extended up to 3-months after the expiry of its prescribed interval. This will be done at the discretion of an Authorised Examiner; and

(ii) enhance the provision which allows the owner of pressure vessels, subject to conditions and approval of the Commissioner, to have their pressure vessels examined within the extended periods. Such extention has to be endorsed by an Authorised Examiner after his examination of the pressure vessel.

(b) Warning labels and safety data sheet. Require warning labels and safety data sheets for hazardous susbtances to conform to any Singapore Standard or other such standards, codes of practice or guidance issued or approved by the WSH Council.

(c) Person carrying out examination, lubrication or adjustment of moving parts of machinery. Reduce the minimum age of person carrying out examination, lubrication or adjustment of moving parts of machinery while the fencing or other safeguard is removed from 20 to 18 years old.

(d) Steam boiler attendant. Amend the provision to require every steam boiler attendant to be competent and have successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner.

(f) Toxic dust, fumes or other contaminants. Update terminologies relating to toxic fumes and other contaminants.

More details of the proposed amendments can be found on the Public Consultation Document on the Proposed Amendments to the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations (Annex A).

PERIOD OF CONSULTATION

6. MOM hereby invites members of public to participate in this consultation. The consultation exercise will last for two weeks, from 4 July to 17 July 2011.

FEEDBACK CHANNEL

7. We seek your support to ensure that the consultation exercise is productive and focused. We would like to request that respondents follow these guidelines:

(a) Identify yourself and the organisation you represent (if any), as that would assist in our understanding of the impact of the
proposed changes to different stakeholder groups;

(b) Make your comments clear and concise;

(c) Focus your comments on how the provisions and features can be improved or be made clearer; and

(d) As far as possible, explain your points with illustrations and examples.

8. Your feedback is important to us. We strongly encourage you to submit your feedback through this email address: mom_oshd_consultation@mom.gov.sg [Subject Heading: Consultation on WSH (General Provisions) Regulations]. This will enable your feedback to reach us faster and speed up the process of consultation.

9. Alternatively, you can also send your comments via any of the following methods:

(a) Fax : 63171261

(b) Post : Ministry of Manpower
Occupational Safety and Health Division
18, Havelock Road #05-00
Singapore 059764
Attn : Ms Kalsum binte Harun

SUMMARY OF RESPONSES

10. We regret that we will not be able to individually address or acknowledge every comment we receive. However, we will consolidate and publish a summary of the key comments received, together with our responses, on the REACH website following the close of the consultation exercise. The summary will not disclose the identity of person(s) providing the feedback, to maintain confidentiality of the feedback received.

Annex A - Public Consultation Document on Enhancements to the WSH General Provisions Regulations [PDF, 33 KB]

Annex B - Template for submission of feedback [PDF, 41.5 KB]