Debunking Myths, Boosting Safety: Guide to WSH Tech & Grants for SMEs

In May 2025, Singapore recorded a rise in workplace fatalities, with 5 reported deaths compared to 3 during the same month last year. In response, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) called for a voluntary Safety Time-Out (STO) from June 12 to June 26, urging companies to review safety practices with a strong emphasis on work-at-height and vehicular risks.

For Singapore’s construction sector, safety and productivity have always been top priorities. Yet some small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remain hesitant to adopt Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) technology, often due to misconceptions about high costs, steep learning curves, or disruption to daily operations.

In this article, we aim to debunk common myths around WSH technology, showcase practical WSH technologies, and highlight the government grants and support schemes available to help SMEs create a safer workplace and more productive workforce.

The Reality on Site Today

Safety teams at workplace face daily hurdles:

• Limited manpower to supervise wide and complex sites
• Difficulty in spotting unsafe behaviours in real time
• Manual reporting and incident tracking that delays response
• Rising compliance requirements under WSH regulations

Incidents are costly. They stop work, trigger investigations, and damage trust with clients. Yet most SMEs still rely heavily on manual checks. This approach no longer matches the complexity of today’s projects.

Busting Common Myths About WSH Tech

Adopting Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) technology is often hindered by persistent myths within Singapore’s construction sector. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial to boosting both safety and productivity across worksites.

Myth 1: WSH Tech is Only for Large Projects

Many believe WSH technology is only practical for large construction sites. This is not true. Small and mid-sized projects face the same risks — falls, equipment hazards, and compliance gaps. WSH tech helps standardise safety processes regardless of project size. Digital checklists, incident reporting, and real-time monitoring are just as valuable on a small site. In fact, smaller projects often benefit more as they have fewer resources and cannot afford downtime or accidents. Safety technology scales to fit the project, not the other way around.

Myth 2: WSH Tech is Too Expensive for SMEs

A common barrier is the misconception that WSH tech solutions are prohibitively costly for small businesses. Reality: Digital solutions such as cloud-based safety management systems are now affordable and scalable. Government grants and support schemes specifically target SMEs to lower the adoption barrier, allowing even modest construction firms to implement safety management systems and wearable tech. The long-term savings from fewer accidents and less downtime far outweigh the upfront cost.

Myth 3: Safety Technology Has Minimal Impact on Productivity

Some assume that WSH tech only adds bureaucratic layers, slowing down work. However, research and field data suggest otherwise: Integrated technologies, like Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and AI-driven cameras, not only improve hazard detection and incident response, but also streamline site coordination, reduce manual paperwork, and allow real-time monitoring. Studies in Singapore have shown that these systems can lead to measurable productivity improvements and reduced site downtime caused by accidents.

Myth 4: Technologies Are Only for ‘Reactive’ Safety Measures

The perception that digital WSH tools merely help after accidents occur is outdated. Today’s tech such as smart wearables and AI-backed systems focus heavily on prevention: monitoring worker fatigue, sending real-time alerts, and identifying unsafe conditions — sometimes before an incident happens. For example, smartwatches combined with AI-powered cameras can detect near-misses and instantly notify supervisors, who can then address hazards promptly. This proactive approach has been shown to decrease workplace accidents in pilot studies and real worksite deployments in Singapore.

Myth 5: Implementation is Complex and Disruptive

There's a belief that deploying WSH tech requires massive operational changes and lengthy training. Modern WSH technology solutions, like Hubble, are designed for rapid integration, featuring user-friendly interfaces, modular scalability, and comprehensive onboarding support. The government’s push to encourage technology adoption ensures there are educational resources and hands-on assistance available for SMEs looking to upskill staff and embed these systems into daily routines.

What Works: Strategies for SMEs to Adopt Safety Tech

• Start Small, Scale Fast: Begin with one high-risk site to prove impact. Use real case data to convince management and workforce.
• Choose Integrated Platforms: Avoid fragmented solutions. A centralised management platform like Hubble connects safety, manpower, and compliance into one ecosystem.
• Prioritise Training and Buy-In: Engage site supervisors early. Confidence grows when staff see how the system supports them rather than adds workload.
• Unlock Support Through Grants: WSH tech adoption is actively supported in Singapore. SMEs can leverage on grants, such as Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), which covers up to 50% for pre-approved solutions like Hubble Safety Management System.

Many SMEs are unaware that safety solutions qualify for these grants. By combining funding support with proven ROI, adoption becomes practical and low risk.

Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Technologies SMEs Should Consider

SMEs can improve workplace safety and compliance by adopting practical Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) technologies. These tools help reduce accidents, streamline reporting, and meet regulatory requirements effectively. Here are some WSH technologies to consider implementing:

• Digital Safety Management Systems
  Centralise safety control, incident reporting, audits, compliance tracking. Helps prevent accidents and manage risks effectively. Example: Hubble Safety Management System
• Electronic Permit to Work (ePTW)
  Digitises the entire permit-to-work (PTW) approval process, reducing human error and delays. Helps track approvals in real time and ensures only authorised work is carried out. Better visibility and accountability through audit trail.
• Smart Site Inspection Tools
  Using 360 cameras, site inspections are conducted and documented digitally. Supervisors can review the site virtually after a walkabout, mark hazards, and share clear instructions with workers. Digital records show progress on hazard resolution, ensuring issues are addressed and tracked systematically.
• Robots and Drones
  A drone can inspect building façades quickly, without scaffolding or gondola lifts. A façade cleaning robot can complete high-rise cleaning tasks without putting cleaners on ropes and operating at dangerous heights. These technologies remove fall hazards, and provide a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional façade inspection and maintenance methods.
• AI Video Analytics
  Uses cameras to identify unsafe acts, such as workers not wearing PPE or entering restricted zones. The AI-powered safety monitoring system sends instant alerts so supervisors can act before accidents happen. Gain better site visibility without relying only on manual monitoring.
• Wearable Safety Devices
  Monitor worker health and location in real time to detect hazards like falls or heat stress early. Alerts enable fast response.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Training
  Immersive, scenario-based safety training improves worker hazard awareness and response skills before entering site.
• Data Analytics and Internet of Things (IoT) Sensors
  Collect data on environment and worker behaviour for proactive hazard detection and safety measure improvements. Hubble Aura uses IoT devices for manpower location tracking across zones and floors, and integrated with PTW management for authorised access and intrusion detection. 

Protect Your People, Improve Safety, and Act Now

The cost of inaction is high. Every near miss is a warning. Every incident is a setback. SMEs cannot afford to dismiss WSH technology as costly or complicated. WSH technology transforms safety from reactive to proactive — and for SMEs, grants make it accessible today.

Embracing integrated platforms and focusing on training will help SMEs build safer, more efficient work environments while protecting their most valuable asset—their people. Now is the time to act decisively and turn safety into a competitive advantage.

Hubble.Build is a leading autonomous and integrated construction management platform that seamlessly connects stakeholders across the entire value chain to build better, faster, safer, and more cost-effective projects. Discover how WSH tech can boost safety for your workplace. Request a demo or contact us today.