Opening Address by Dr Kenneth Low at the STAS SME-Tech Event 2025
05 Sep 2025 Speeches
Opening Address by Dr Kenneth Low, Chairman,
WSH Council (National Work at Heights Safety) Taskforce at the
STAS SME-Tech Event 2025 on 5 September 2025, 9am
Mr John Tan, President of the Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore,
Distinguished speakers, industry partners,
Ladies and gentlemen.
1. Good morning and my heartfelt thanks to all representatives and industry partners for being here today.
2. My sincere appreciation to Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore for taking the lead in organising this meaningful event, and to the WSH Institute for their steadfast support and strong collaboration.
3. I would also like to acknowledge our key stakeholders, technology solution providers, and grant agencies. Your participation today not only reflects our shared commitment to making workplaces safer, but a practical and sustainable reality for small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the built environment sector.
Overview of WSH Performance for SMEs
4. Let’s check on the reality. Based on the national workplace safety and health (WSH) report, the construction industry has consistently been one of the top contributors to workplace fatality rates.
5. From 2022 to 2024, SMEs in the Construction, Manufacturing and Transportation & Storage industries recorded higher injury rates compared to others. This is perhaps unsurprising as SMEs often face more constraints to having the resources to invest in safety.
6. I understand the realities that SMEs face: your resources are limited, deadlines are tight, and profit margins are thin. It can be tempting to think that safety as a cost that can be delayed. But let me be clear — WSH is not a cost. It is an investment. An investment in your workers, your reputation and ultimately, your bottom line.
What SMEs Can Do
7. I know SMEs need more support in their WSH journey. The WSH Council has many guides and programmes, most of which are free, to help you in your WSH journey. Being safer is not difficult; many SMEs have good safety standards.
8. The key is to start small but start strong:
- Begin by conducting risk assessments and sharing the findings openly with your workers, so everyone understands the hazards they may face.
- Provide your workers with proper training, and make sure they consistently follow safe work procedures.
- Use the right equipment correctly and safely, and carry out regular checks.
- And above all, we need to lead by example — because safety leadership begins at the top.
9. You can also make use of available grants such as the Productivity Solutions Grant, and the Company Training Committee, known as the CTC Grant, which will help to reduce some of your costs. These grants can be used to adopt WSH technology, such as the solutions you’ll see showcased here today. They can help SMEs strengthen workplace safety in ways that are scalable, cost-effective and most importantly sustainable.
Closing & Call to Action
10. Today’s event, themed “Clearing Myths, Unlocking Opportunities,” is focused on helping SMEs tackle sector-specific risks with practical and actionable solutions.
11. Whether you are exploring smart technologies, learning from others’ success stories, or simply seeking one-on-one advisory support, please take this opportunity to equip yourself with the tools, resources, and confidence to strengthen safety in your workplace.
12. Workplace safety and health goes beyond checking the boxes. It is about caring for your people, protecting your business, and securing your future. SMEs will continue to play a very critical role in the built environment sector. But progress and growth should never come at the cost of lives or livelihoods.
13. Let us work together to build a better Singapore on the foundation of care, responsibility, and safety.
Thank you.