Elevating Workplace Safety Culture in Singapore's Construction Landscape: A Path to Sustainable Growth

In recent years, Singapore's construction sector has seen a rising concern—workplace fatalities. The gravity of the issue was underscored in 2022 when 46 lives were lost, marking the highest toll since 2016. In response to this alarming trend, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) initiated a heightened safety period (HSP) in September 2022, implementing tighter enforcement and fresh safety measures. However, this approach, while impactful in the short term, has revealed the need for a more sustainable and comprehensive safety strategy given the recent workplace fatalities after ending of the HSP.

The Shortcomings of Enforcement-Centric Approaches

While enforcement played a crucial role in momentarily reducing workplace fatality rates during the heightened safety period, it came at a significant cost—both financially and in terms of sustainability. Relying solely on enforcement can inadvertently shift the burden of ensuring workers' safety to the authorities, resulting in a degradation of safety culture within organisations. To truly foster a safer work environment, a collective approach focusing on the fundamental issues is imperative.

Addressing Fundamental Problems for Sustainable Change

The critical problems contributing to workplace fatalities demand a proactive and holistic response:

Inadequate Leadership Commitment

To curb fatalities, a stronger commitment to safety at the leadership level is essential. This commitment must go beyond compliance and become an inherent part of the organisation's ethos.

Double-Loop Learning

Understanding the deeper causes of accidents requires a culture of reflection and double-loop learning. Managers need to dig beyond surface issues to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Worker Participation and Consultation

Involving workers in safety discussions and decisions ensures a bottom-up approach to safety, fostering a culture of ownership and vigilance.

Hubble Safety Management System - Incident Management & Lessons Learnt Module: A Beacon of Hope

In the pursuit of a sustainable safety culture, technological solutions play a pivotal role. The Hubble Safety Management System is one such solution designed to empower organisations in their safety journey. It doesn't just focus on meeting regulatory requirements but strives to cultivate a culture where safety is a shared responsibility.

Fostering Leadership Commitment

The Incident Management & Lessons Learnt Module encourages proactive safety practices, empowering management to lead by example. It provides real-time incident reporting and tracking mechanisms, enabling swift implementation of safety practices and evidence capture through witness statements, photos and documents.

Preventing Repeat Incidents

The Incident Management & Lessons Learnt Module offers a robust 5-M incident investigation framework. Covering information gathering, analysis, implementation, and review for near misses, incidents, or accidents, it enables organisations to identify root causes and implement preventive measures to mitigate future incidents.

Ensure Compliance and Seamless Adoption

The customisable fields and workflows of the Hubble Platform enable organisations to tailor the system to align with their company's standards and the latest industry regulations, ensuring seamless compliance with ISO 45001:2018 and Singapore Standards SS679:2021 or CP79:1999.

Enabling Continuous Learning & Sharing

The Incident Management & Lessons Learnt Module allows for seamless sharing of insights and educational resources without waiting for any proceedings from regulatory authorities. This promotes a collaborative approach to safety enhancement, ensuring a secure and collaborative learning environment where learning reports can be shared and reviewed with peers and contractors while maintaining confidentiality.

Seizing Control of Safety and Business Opportunities

As businesses in the construction sector grapple with MOM's safety disqualification criteria, leveraging the Hubble Safety Management System becomes paramount. Our solution not only drives safety excellence but also positions your organisation for continued business success by:

Preventing Financial Impacts

By embracing the Hubble Safety Management System, organisations can avoid safety disqualification from taking part in public sector construction tenders, safeguarding their business from severe financial repercussions.

Enhancing Safety Practices

Implementing the Hubble Safety Management System is more than a response to regulations—it's a commitment to prioritising safety and fostering a culture of responsibility within the organisation.       

Looking Ahead: A Safer Tomorrow and Sustainable Growth

The recent fatalities after the heightened safety period have highlighted the need for a more sustainable, long-term safety strategy. Beyond regulatory compliance, companies need to prioritise safety as an integral part of their operations, driven by a shared commitment and proactive measures. The journey to a safer construction landscape requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders—organisations, government bodies, and technology partners.

As we collectively strive to overcome safety challenges and foster a culture of shared responsibility, the construction industry can not only achieve safety excellence but also lay the foundation for sustainable growth and a safer, brighter future.

For further insights on how the Hubble Safety Management System can elevate your organisation's safety practices and pave the way for sustained growth, reach out to us today.