Opening Address by Mr Tan Swee Yiow at the BCAA-IOSH WSH Conference 2025

15 Sep 2025 Speeches

Opening Address by Mr Tan Swee Yiow
Chairman, WSH Council (Construction and Landscape) Committee at the
BCAA-IOSH WSH Conference 2025 on
Monday, 15 September 2025 at 9.00am

Distinguished guests, 
Industry leaders, 
Ladies and gentlemen.

  1. Good morning. It is a privilege to address you today. I am heartened that our built environment community has come together again this year to continue our commitment to workplace safety and health.

    WSH Performance: A Call for Renewed Vigilance

  2. This year’s Conference’s theme, “Shaping the Future of WSH through Innovation, Culture, and Resilience”, is inspiring and forward-looking. But the reality reminds us that we also have to address present challenges. The statistics on workplace fatalities in Singapore, unfortunately are a stark reminder that we still have much work to do. 

  3. In 2024, Singapore recorded 43 workplace fatalities, a 19% increase from the previous year. Of the 43 deaths, the construction industry accounted for 20 fatalities with a fatality rate of 3.7 per 100,000 workers. This was up from 3.4 per 100,000 workers in 2023.

  4. Behind these numbers are lives of people with families and loved ones. Every life lost is a wakeup call that we need to do better. We must take concrete steps to strengthen our culture and improve our practices. 

  5. There are three pillars that every organisation needs to ensure safety at the workplace: Innovation, Culture and Resilience. Let me elaborate on these.

    Innovation in WSH

  6. First is innovation. Innovation empowers us to find new solutions to WSH challenges. Adopting technologies and implementing innovative WSH practices can help us proactively identify risks, automate hazardous tasks, and cultivate a safer work environment for everyone. 

  7. An example is Hwa Seng Builder’s Continuous Monitoring System, a real-time tracking system with a rewards function. This innovation centres on the company’s belief in its human capital and ways to motivate them. Hear more from today’s presenters on some of these new technologies and digital solutions. 

  8. At the WSH Council, we are also leveraging digital platforms, such as social media and TikTok, to raise WSH awareness. We also partner the Ministry of Manpower in disseminating bite-sized WSH information in migrant workers’ native languages on their FWMOMCare app. I urge all of you to actively seek out such solutions shared here today to continually improve WSH practices at your workplace.

    Nurturing a Strong WSH Culture

  9. Second is having a strong WSH culture. The WSH Council’s Total WSH programme and Well-being Champions Network are platforms that can help companies foster a stronger WSH culture while actively promoting the health and well-being of their workforce. They offer companies an important human capital advantage in today’s demanding environment. I urge you to take the first step in building and strengthening your WSH culture.

    Building Resilience for Sustained WSH Outcomes

  10. Third is resilience. Resilience is crucial as it enables companies to adapt to evolving challenges and new risks. 

  11. One such example is climate risks resulting in adverse weather, such as strong winds and heat waves which could have catastrophic consequences for workplace safety. Organisations need to be flexible and adaptable in putting systems and processes in place when circumstances change. There are numerous resources available on the WSH Council’s website to help companies do so, such as the WSH Guidelines on Preparing for Adverse Weather.

    New initiative by WSH Council – 3P WSH Walkabout

  12. Resilience is also forged from learning from past incidences and being proactive in implementing WSH initiatives. One way for senior management to role model the importance of learning from the past and being proactive is through the WSH Council’s new initiative, the 3P WSH Walkabout. 

  13. The 3Ps stand for “proactive”, “prevention” and “partnerships”. The Walkabout calls upon companies to voluntarily and proactively conduct management site walkabouts to review procedures, identify potential risks and implement improvements. 

  14. This collaborative effort by the WSH Council and industry partners signifies our ownership and commitment to make worksites safer for our workers. I urge all of you to participate in the Walkabout from 22 September to 21 October, ahead of the expected annual uptrend in construction injuries towards the end of each year. 

  15. This is also an excellent opportunity to foster closer rapport between management, unions and workers. Do share with the WSH Council what your company had done. Send us your photos too, so that we can share these good practices with other companies.

    Conclusion

  16. In summary, I’ve highlighted three pillars that forms the foundation for companies to be safe: fostering innovation, nurturing a strong WSH culture, and building resilience. 

  17. The future of WSH lies in our hands. Let us build not just structures, but a legacy: a legacy of care and of unwavering commitment to every worker’s safety and health. When we shape the future of WSH, we also shape the lives of our workers, allowing them to go home safe and healthy.

  18. I wish you a meaningful and productive Conference. Thank you.