New CultureSAFE programme to drive next phase of workplace safety & health

The Workplace Safety and Health Council has launched a programme, called CultureSAFE, to transform mindsets and create a pervasive culture that places workers' safety and health first.

The government will provide $8 million to co-fund the cost of the programme for small and medium enterprises over the next three years. 

Companies taking part will receive up to $30,000 to help pay for consultancy and implementation. 

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam at this year's Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Conference this morning.

Mr Tharman stressed that Singapore is committed to making the nation one of the safest and healthiest workplaces in the world.

"Employers must always look after their people. It is their most basic responsibility to make sure that everyone is able to return home to their family safe and sound, everyday. Serious accidents are almost always avoidable and always inflict a high cost. The most important cost is to the people who lose their limbs or lives and their families who are deprived of a breadwinner and loved one. Accidents are also costly to the company involved which not only suffers immediate financial impact but also longer-term damage to its reputation." 

Mr Tharman said since Singapore implemented the performance-based Workplace Safety and Health regime, there has been a steady decline in the workplace fatality rate - from 4.9 deaths per 100,000 employed persons in 2004 to 2.3 in 2011. 

It aims to reduce the fatality rate to less than 1.8 by 2018. 

Mr Tharman said to achieve this, Singapore has to go beyond company and industry-specific practices; adding that it's time to embark on the next phase in the workplace safety and health journey.