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Minister Zaqy Mohamad highlights key strategies in promoting workplace safety and health

Two weeks ago, Singapore launched the national workplace safety and health strategies, or WSH2028. This included three key strategies which will drive the next lap of the country's WSH journey.

Minister of State for Manpower and National Development Zaqy Mohamad outlined two out of the three key strategies at the launch event Singapore's National Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Campaign 2019 on Saturday, 20 April 2019. The event included a 3.5km fun walk held at Gardens by the Bay East.

The two strategies are as follows:

Strengthening WSH ownership

Referencing the use of colloquial words such as "bro" or "adik" in this year's campaign as an expression of care for co-workers, Minister Zaqy Mohamad said: "It is important to remember that this simple manifestation of care is in service of the larger goal of engendering a culture of care and trust at the workplace.

"Achieving good WSH requires a collective effort. When employers, supervisors and workers own and practise WSH in a committed manner, improvements in WSH can be sustained."

ALSO READ: Two ways employers need to shift their mindset on Workplace Safety and Health

Enhancing the focus on workplace health

In terms of good health in the workplace, Minister Zaqy Mohamad stressed the important role played by companies in promoting this.

He explained: "Not only is it a tangible expression of care for our fellow workers – a sign of taking ownership, (but) it is also beneficial to the companies."

He further added that if workers with "poorly controlled chronic diseases", for instance diabetes, experience dizzy spells or lose consciousness, workplace accidents may take place. As such, the Ministry of Manpower and tripartite partners will support companies in undertaking activities that would promote their workforce health.

"The fun walk this morning is a good example of an easy and affordable activity companies can organise. Another way is to encourage workers to eat healthily and provide them with regular health screenings and follow-up sessions. Companies can also tap on the Total WSH (TWSH) programme offered jointly by the WSH Council and Health Promotion Board.

"The TWSH services are designed to help companies manage their workforce health alongside the more traditional WSH issues. I hope that you will take time to take care and participate in these TWSH programmes."

Photo / Mr Zaqy Mohamad's Facebook page

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