Enhancing Workplace Safety and Health with PSG Grant: A Digital Approach for SMEs in Singapore

Alarming Workplace Fatality Surge and Urgent Safety Paradigm Shift

In the Singapore construction landscape, the alarm has been sounded as workplace fatalities surged to 46 in 2022, the highest yearly toll since 2016. Even more concerning is the fatality rate spike from 2.3 deaths per month during the heightened safety period (HSP) between September 2022 and May 2023 to an alarming 4.3 per month in the three months of post-HSP that followed. These figures illuminate the urgent need for a paradigm shift in safety management within the industry. 

Additionally, the metalworking and construction sectors accounted for a significant 54% of fatal and major injuries in the first half of 2023. The construction sector, driven by smaller-scale works such as Addition & Alteration, Renovation, and Facility Management, witnessed 80 major injuries. This underscores the critical importance of fortifying safety measures, especially for SMEs, who may underestimate the expected returns from digital safety adoption.

Tightened Workplace Safety Regulations and Increased Fines

The urgency is further underscored by recent changes in regulations, imposing heavier fines and tighter enforcement to combat the rise in workplace deaths and injuries. Non-compliance with safety standards can lead to substantial financial burdens, including increased insurance premiums for work injury compensation and fines under the Workplace Safety and Health Act. 

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act holds employers unequivocally responsible for providing a safe working environment for their employees. Failure to comply with these mandates can result in hefty fines, prosecution, and imprisonment, both for the company and its top management. Composition fines for each workplace safety and health (WSH) lapse have been doubled from a minimum of S$1,000 to S$2,000 since June 2022, and maximum fines have been substantially increased from S$20,000 to S$50,000.

Furthermore, indirect costs, such as loss of productivity and revenue due to demerit point systems (DPS) and mandatory stop work orders (SWO), can compound the financial strain on businesses, particularly those in high-risk sectors like construction. Stop Work Order (SWO) is served to any person to immediately cease work in the workplace when there is an imminent danger to the safety and health of persons at work. It is issued with a set of instructions directing the recipient to take such measures to remedy any danger so as to enable resumption of work. A Full SWO can be issued to cease work at the entire workplace, or a Partial SWO issued for any part of the workplace, machinery, equipment, plant or article where there is a high risk condition that poses or likely to pose imminent danger to person’s life or bodily injury; or serious lapses that are common across workplaces where it has led to harm being done (either fatal, serious injury) or led to a dangerous occurrence.

The Demerit Point System (DPS) for the construction and manufacturing sectors can lead to debarment from employing foreign workers for a duration between 3 months and up to 2 years and disqualification from public sector tenders between 3 months to 2 years as main contractors and first level subcontractors. This emphasises the pressing need for an effective safety management system to mitigate risks and comply with evolving regulations.

Prioritising Workplace Safety: Urgent Need for SMEs to Adopt Safety Management Systems

SMEs often grapple with financial constraints and a lack of digital expertise when considering the adoption of Safety Management Systems (SMS). Safety is sometimes viewed as the primary responsibility of main contractors, leading SMEs to overlook the need for a Safety Management System. However, the recent surge in workplace fatalities is a stark reminder that safety cannot be compromised due to financial constraints or the perceived complexity of digital transformation.

Notably, the fines and penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations can be substantial, posing a severe threat to SMEs with limited resources. The recent enforcement operations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) resulted in over 1,491 enforcement actions, 3 stop-work orders and 89 composition fines on 435 companies totaling S$186,050 within just two months. For SMEs, these fines could be financially crippling and, in severe cases, even lead to the closure of the company. Hence, the imperative for SMEs to prioritise safety management systems becomes even more critical, as they provide a proactive approach to compliance that ultimately safeguards both lives and the business itself.

Digital Safety Management Systems: Overcoming Barriers and Addressing Root Causes

To effectively address safety concerns, SMEs should consider a digital safety management system. This technology-driven approach ensures a comprehensive safety framework, aiding in incident prevention, compliance, and reporting. Understanding the common root causes of incidents is crucial. 

According to the latest Workplace Safety and Health Report January - June 2023 National Statistics, major injuries often result from the following;

• Inadequate fall prevention measures
• Unsafe worker behaviours
• Inadequate traffic management plans
• Incompatible works due to inadequate WSH management systems
• Inadequate lifting plans
   

On the other hand, major injuries with a lower risk of fatality often stem from the following;

• A lack of control measures, including machine guarding
• Non-compliance with safety measures such as bypass of safety interlocks 
• Lack of safety measures to manage the flow of goods
• Lack of provision of suitable tools
• Failure to provide anti-slip footwear

Enhancing Safety Measures: The Potential of a Digital Safety Management System

A digital safety management system, like Hubble, can significantly address these root causes and enhance overall safety ownership through various modules:

1. Dashboard Module - Visibility and Insights: The dashboard provides real-time project status and personalised insights on safety inspection efficiency, permit-to-work applications, and toolbox meetings. This helps in identifying areas that need improvement and allows for proactive measures.
2. Toolbox Meeting Module- Accountability and Compliance: By providing a structured approach to toolbox meetings and enabling digital sign-offs, this module helps ensure that workers are informed and compliant with safety measures, reducing incidents related to inadequate worker communication and understanding.
3. Permit-to-Work (PTW) Module - Accurate PTW Records and Coordination: The PTW module ensures accurate records and prevents accidents by detecting conflicting works and mapping isolation zones. It also enables real-time alerts, reminders, and custom approval workflows, reducing incidents caused by incompatible works.
4. Safety Inspection Module - Efficient Safety Inspections: This module helps in conducting safety inspections efficiently, identifying safety violations, and promptly addressing non-conformities. The ability to revoke active permits that don't meet safety requirements enhances safety by stopping unsafe conduct.
5. Equipment Inspection Module - Equipment Safety Assurance: By tracking equipment certifications and inspection due dates, this module ensures that only safe equipment is used, mitigating incidents caused by faulty equipment.
6. Safety Timeout Module - Effective Safety Timeout: The Safety Timeout module aids in conducting effective safety timeouts, recording observations, and reviewing them later. This improves the focus on critical safety areas and helps in educating workers on potential risks.
7. Incident Management & Lessons Learnt Module - Incident Documentation and Analysis: This module allows for comprehensive incident reporting, tracking, and analysis. By identifying root causes and capturing lessons learned, it helps in preventing similar incidents in the future.

Optimising Safety through PSG Grant Singapore: A Boon for Construction SMEs

The SMEs Go Digital programme, featuring the PSG grant, is a transformational initiative designed to empower business with up to 50% eligible costs support and up to an annual grant cap of S$30,000. The Ministry of Trade and Industry's (MTI) Impact Evaluation study of the SMEs Go Digital Programme has revealed insightful statistics. Within the construction sector, approximately 1,655 SMEs have seized the PSG grant to enhance their digital capabilities, a number that barely scratches the surface given the extensive SME landscape in the industry. This underscores the vast untapped potential for construction SMEs to capitalise on the PSG safety grant and elevate their safety standards through innovative solutions like the Hubble Safety Management System.

Safety as a Key Driver for Project Success: PSG Grant-backed Solutions at the Forefront

Emphasising safety through PSG-supported solutions like electronic Permit-to-Work (ePTW) and safety inspection software has a direct correlation with project tender success. On average, firms leveraging PSG witnessed a remarkable 4.0% improvement in project tender success and revenue. This surge in successful project bids signifies that by investing in innovative safety measures and compliance solutions, SMEs can bolster their success rates, achieving not only safer workplaces but also thriving businesses.

For smaller construction firms, PSG proved even more impactful, leading to a notable 6.4% boost in project success and financial performance. This data strongly indicates that PSG isn't just about adopting technology; it's a strategic move that can catapult safety standards and project success for SMEs in the construction domain. Aligning digital transformation efforts with industry-specific needs can redefine outcomes and lay the foundation for a safer, more prosperous future.

Hubble Safety Management System: Expertise and Tangible Cost Savings for Work Site Safety

Hubble Safety Management System stands as a beacon of expertise in ensuring work site safety, notably through its powerful tools like the electronic Permit-to-Work (ePTW) module. The system doesn't just enhance safety; it translates to tangible savings, increased operational efficiency, and an impeccable Return on Investment (ROI).

Tangible ROI: Operational Efficiency (Cost Savings)

Traditionally, permit requests involved cumbersome paperwork and time-consuming processes. Hubble's ePTW module, armed with predefined templates and custom Workflow and Form Builder, slashes the time taken for reviews and approvals, leading to remarkable time savings.

• Before Hubble: The entire PTW process took an average of about 10 minutes, from trade-in charge review to supervisor approval, before progressing to the project manager for the final nod.
• After Hubble: With Hubble's streamlined ePTW module, the process is now optimised with a remarkable 60% reduction in processing time, taking less than 4 minutes to complete and obtain necessary approvals.

Intangible ROI: Enhancing Safety Measures

The Hubble Safety Management System delivers a dual impact by enhancing safety while reducing costs:

1. Swift Incident Reporting and Mitigation: Hubble simplifies reporting unsafe conditions and acts directly from the field, enabling quick actions and hazard reduction. This feature significantly contributes to an improved safety culture on-site.
2. Encouraging Near-Miss Reporting: The system's transparent reporting mechanism encourages employees to report near-misses, leading to thorough investigations and timely corrective actions. This fosters a safer work environment.
3. Efficient Work Allocation and Accuracy: Hubble's capabilities to map out isolation zones, identify conflicting works, and ensure accuracy in PTW records further bolster safety measures.
4. Real-time Workflow Involvement: Including followers in workflows for real-time updates facilitates involvement of company management, streamlining decision-making and minimising potential risks.

Read also - Safety & Efficiency Amplified: Lih Ming Construction Transforms Project GDP with Hubble Safety Management & PSG Grant

Prioritising Safety, Boosting Efficiency: The Hubble Advantage and a Safer Future

In the evolving Singapore construction landscape, safety must be at the forefront of every organisation's operations. SMEs, despite initial barriers, can unlock the potential of a digital safety management system like the Hubble Safety Management System. By embracing a comprehensive digital safety approach, and measuring ROI in both tangible and intangible terms, SMEs can navigate the complexities of the industry and ensure the well-being of their workforce.

With the Hubble Safety Management System, SMEs can now enjoy a cost-effective ePTW and Safety Inspection solutions. It's time for SMEs to invest in a safer and more productive future. Take advantage of Hubble's expertise to bolster safety and achieve notable financial gains.

Ready to enhance safety and productivity for your construction projects? Contact us to learn more about the Hubble Safety Management System and how it can transform your safety approach.