Workplaces required to appoint a WSH officer are stipulated in the Second Schedule of the WSH (WSH Officer) Regulations, including:
(a) Shipyards in which any ship, tanker and other vessels are constructed, reconstructed, repaired, refitted, finished or broken up;
(b) Factories used for processing petroleum or petroleum products;
(c) Factories in which building operations or works of engineering construction of a contract sum of $10 million or more are carried out; and
(d) Any other factories in which 100 or more persons are employed, except those which are used for manufacturing garments.
Duties of workplace safety and health officer (WSHO)
(1) The duties of a workplace safety and health officer (WSHO) appointed in respect of a workplace shall be:
(a) to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace to identify and assess any foreseeable risk arising from the workplace or work processes therein;
(b) to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace reasonably practicable measures to eliminate any foreseeable risk to any person who is at work in that workplace or may be affected by the occupier’s undertaking in the workplace;
(c) where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk referred to in sub-paragraph (b), to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace —
(i) such reasonably practicable measures to minimise the risk; and
(ii) such safe work procedures to control the risk; and
(d) to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace implement the measure or safe work procedure (SWP)
(2) Any workplace safety and health officer (WSHO) who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a 2nd or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Requirements for approval as workplace safety and health officer
(WSHO)(a) to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace to identify and assess any foreseeable risk arising from the workplace or work processes therein;
(b) to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace reasonably practicable measures to eliminate any foreseeable risk to any person who is at work in that workplace or may be affected by the occupier’s undertaking in the workplace;
(c) where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk referred to in sub-paragraph (b), to recommend to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace —
(i) such reasonably practicable measures to minimise the risk; and
(ii) such safe work procedures to control the risk; and
(d) to assist the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace implement the measure or safe work procedure (SWP)
(2) Any workplace safety and health officer (WSHO) who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a 2nd or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
For the purposes of section 33 (3) (a) of the WSH Act, a person may be approved to act as a workplace safety and health officer if he satisfies the Commissioner that —
(a) he has —
(i) successfully completed a training course to equip him to become a workplace safety and health officer; and
(ii) at least 2 years’ practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a workplace safety and health officer; or
(b) although not having the qualifications and practical experience in paragraph (a), he nevertheless has had such other qualifications and practical experience as to render him, in the Commissioner’s opinion, competent to act as a workplace safety and health officer.
Application for Workplace Safety & Health Officer
You may apply for Workplace Safety and Health Officer certification online.The application will only be considered if the applicant meets the following application criteria:
- Applicant must be at least 21 years old
- Applicant must have at least one of the prescribed Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) related qualification
- Applicant must have at least two years practical experience relevant to the work to be performed by a WSH officer (documentary proof/testimonial from employer is required)
- As part of the application process, the applicant may be required to attend an interview to assess his/her suitability to become a WSH Officer
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