Industry urged to take measures to protect workers safety and health

20 Feb 2026 Announcements

The WSH Council urges all companies to remain vigilant upon resuming work after the festive season. In particular, companies should strengthen their focus on preventing incidents involving slips, trips, and falls (STF) and falls from height (FFH) – two key causes of workplace accidents in the past three years. 

The following measures, while not exhaustive, can help companies create a safe working environment:

To prevent STF incidents:

  • Ensure non-slippery walking surfaces
    Install slip-resistant flooring or provide anti-slip mats in work areas prone to oil or wetness.

  • Provide slip-resistant footwear 
    Implement a regular footwear inspection programme and replace any footwear found to be worn out.

  • Maintain good housekeeping
    Keep walkways free from wet/dry spills and clear of obstructions such as tools, cables, hoses or debris.

To prevent FFH incidents:

  • Establish and implement a fall prevention plan (FPP)
    The FPP must be site-specific and outline areas such as the risk control measures in place, safe work procedures for the task, and the use of personal protective equipment. 

  • Deploy only workers trained for work at height
    Verify each worker being deployed has completed the relevant WSH training for work at height, such as the Workforce Skills Qualification Perform Work-at-Heights course.

  • Set up a permit-to-work (PTW) system for work at height
    The PTW applies to all hazardous works at height where a person could fall more than three metres. Ensure onsite checks are carried out by a competent person before authorising the work permit.

  • Close off all open sides and prevent access to fragile surfaces
    Install guardrails and/or barricades along the perimeter of open sides and at/over fragile surfaces.

  • Prevent falls or protect workers from falls
    In locations where there is a risk of fall, equip each worker with travel-restraint or fall-arrest equipment. Identify or install suitable secure anchor points and ensure workers practice 100% tie-off to the anchor point at all times.

For more information, refer to: