QuESH Consultants

23/09/2022

"Code of Practice on WSH Duties as Chief Executives' and Board of Directors' Duties"
What is the big fuss? How can we fulfil this Code of Practice?
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What is the big fuss? How can we fulfil this Code of Practice? The recent released of Code of Practice on Chief Executives' and Board of Directors' WSH Duties created a “commotion” in the market and industries. Especially when the Minister mentioned in the Parliament (on 19 Sept 2022) that "in t...

16/09/2022

UNDERSTAND THIS IMPORTANT CLAUSE BY KNOWING SIX KEY TERMS

1. Hazard
How might your processes be harmful to individuals? Is there dangerous equipment being used by workers that could result in injuries? Is the health and wellbeing of your workers affected by the chemicals you use?

2. Well Being
Worker wellbeing is defined more broadly in ISO 45001:2018. This includes hazards present in less obvious jobs and workplaces, such as office settings where repetitive strain injuries and back pain can occur from poorly designed workstations. Additionally, it acknowledges that workers' psychological health is equally important - such as the dangers of burnout, harassment, bullying or stress-related illness.

3. Risk
A hazard refers to the part of your process that could potentially cause harm to your workers, whereas a risk that harm may occur is referred to as the probability of it happening. For instance, if a particular piece of machinery is deployed twice a day, but another is deployed twice a month, the more commonly occurring hazard will carry a higher risk.

4. Opportunities
Resource management should be based on risk-based thinking. As part of this process, the organization must examine both threats and opportunities both inside and outside the organization. Analyzing, ranking, and addressing risks and opportunities is essential.

5. Proactive
ISO 45001:2018 changes OHSAS 18001 by replacing preventive measures with ongoing proactive measures that take place throughout the year rather than just after an incident. This reduces the need for corrective actions. Risk management entails identifying major risks, determining when they might occur, and identifying who will be taking proactive preventative measures. You must have a detailed plan.

6. Documentation
Clause 6 also states that the objectives must be fully documented and the organization must develop a written plan to achieve the documented objectives. The plan should include identification of responsible parties, implementation timelines, and key performance indicators of progress and success.

Contact us to know how we can assist you!
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]

13/09/2022

Are you aware that under the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations and WSH (Noise) Regulations, employers have the obligation to conduct industrial hygiene monitoring to determine the chemical and workplace noise exposure level. Depending on the monitoring results, employers are to send workers for relevant medical examinations. As such, it is crucial that employers are to establish a Workplace Health Programme to systematically manage and prevent workers from overly exposed to toxic substances and workplace noise.

Ministry of Manpower has initiated an Enhanced Workplace Health Surveillance (WHS+) Consultation and Audit Programme on the monitoring of workplace environments to assess exposure levels of workers to occupational health related hazards such as chemical or workplace noise hazard. Depending on the exposure level, workers’ health are to be monitored through medical screening to detect over exposures and early signs of occupational diseases.

Ministry of Manpower will notify workplaces to submit declaration on their work activities that involve in the handling of toxic substances and workers working on noisy processes.

To know more, visit our website:
https://www.queshconsultants.com/post/enhanced-workplace-health-surveillance-whs-consultation-and-audit-programme?postId=db9c8405-1d8d-43d3-9af3-8f04d42ab700&utm_campaign=dbb6cde1-40d9-4236-949d-b318582ffd5b&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=da16e8a6-d29b-4cae-aebc-99049e0ce987&cid=04ea372a-5413-41c2-94d6-5a48fe2af939

You may also contact us:
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]

Ministry of Manpower has initiated an Enhanced Workplace Health Surveillance (WHS+) Consultation and Audit Programme on the monitoring of workplace environments to assess exposure levels of workers to occupational health related hazards such as chemical or workplace noise hazard. Depending on the ex...

09/09/2022

Although year 2022 has not end yet, but most of us know that this will not be a good year for workplace safety and health (WSH). Number of workplace fatality increased at a rate like no other recent years. What could we do? Still trying to use the conventional way of reducing workplace incidents through heavier penalty and enforcement? These may no longer work. As some of you may have read, causes of such situation could be due to organisation needs to push work schedule and therefore putting safety in a “less important” position. Of course, incident occurred could also be due to irresponsible employers who put their businesses first, pushing work schedule, cutting resources for safety provisions, and be a “mouse” before the “cat” comes after them. We have seen this happening in the industries, in fact, even before COVID-19 situation. Some big local or multi-national companies involving in mega government or private projects, were seen achieving numerous safety awards, but ironically also having poor safety performances. Something is not right…

My heart is with the victims of the incident cases… victims do not refer to only the injured persons or deceased, but also to the closed ones of the injured persons or deceased. Especially those who suffered serious injuries which caused permanent disability or those who no longer around. To some readers reading such news may not feel anything. They would probably just share the news or trying to learn some lessons from the cases. Some may even feel that they are lucky not involving in such cases.

As shared by media and Ministry, some unfortunate cases were occurred in SME or micro-SME. This set me thinking. Could there be some employers or occupiers who do not have any knowledge on workplace safety and health? Of course, in the eyes of law, ignorance is not a defence. And definitely, we cannot be ignorant when you have the power and responsibility to protect those who are under your charge.

WSH Professional Volunteer

What can we do as a WSH Professional? We could not just rely on the Ministry. We can contribute.

I am calling WSH professionals to join us as volunteers. We know WSH professionals are busy. But as a WSH professional, I believe you would want to play your part to help our fellow workers. This is a duty call. We chose this profession is not to just make a living, but to also contribute and make our workplace a safer place to work in.

We could carry out following volunteer work to any organisation / entity / project sites that would need advice or assistance:

• WSH Audit
• WSH Inspection
• WSH Briefing

Some of you may be thinking this could be a money-making opportunity. Sorry for those who think this way. Volunteers don’t get pay or get any benefit out of the work they did. As such, there are some basic Code of Conducts which volunteers need to follow (for now):

Code of Conduct
1. Do not engage in any business dealing from the organisation / entity / project site that you are carrying out the volunteer work.
2. Do not refer or try to refer contacts to the organisation / entity / project site for the purpose of business dealings.
3. Keep strict confidential on volunteering work details between the organisation / entity / project site and yourself. We are not “whistle blower”.

We will first start with a small group with 10 volunteers. How much time or effort you need to contribute? I am not sure. For now, I am just trying to gather like-minded WSH Professionals for a Just Cause.

If you think you could and want to play a part to make our workplace safer, sacrificing your personal time, and having no beneficial returns, please drop an email ([email protected]) to me. We will be in contact with you for evaluation process.

08/09/2022

In today's business world, getting your company certified to ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, etc is becoming a norm to showcase your capability and giving assurance to your clients.

To conduct a good internal audit requires not only good knowledge of the related ISO standard requirement, the auditor should also have an extensive knowledge of the company's business processes. Only with these, then the auditor will be able to relate the ISO requirement with the business processes so as to highlight any potential nonconformance or even noncompliance during the internal audit process.

Our consultants have been providing ISO consultancy and auditing services to many clients in different industry. With the good knowledge of ISO requirement and experiences, we believe we could provide some good and practical advices during the internal audit.

Call us now to find out more on our ISO internal audit services!
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]
or visit our website!

QuESH Consultants providing Business Management Consultancy, Auditing and Training Services.

08/09/2022

On completion of this course, learners will acquire the knowledge and skills to be a Risk Management Champion for the organisation in reducing risks at source by managing the risk management process at workplace and for recognition of bizSAFE level 2 by Workplace Safety and Health Council. It involves developing a practical risk management implementation plan for the organisation which identify specific actions to be taken, by whom and time for their completion. It also entails formation of risk management team, risk assessment, controlling and monitoring the risks, communicating these risks to all persons involved and in compliance with the Risk Management Code of Practice (RMCP).
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Join our public run training course to know more about the management of Personal Data Protection within your organisation.


Certification
A Statement of Attainment (SOA) for will be awarded upon successfully completion of the course.
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Course Fees
Full Fees without subsidy (inclusive of GST)
S$374.50
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Contact us now to discuss further!
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]
or visit our website!

https://www.queshconsultants.com/bizsafe

Course Fees Subsidy
Participants can apply government subsidy for the Course Fees
​Refer to SSG's website for details: https://www.ssg-wsg.gov.sg/employers/funding-assistance-schemes.html

bizSAFE Courses

01/09/2022

The WSH (Construction & Landscaping) Committee of WSH Council started the review of the ConSASS Audit Checklist since 2020. With the endorsement by Minstry of Manpower, the checklist is published and auditors will be using this new checklist starting from 1 Oct 2021.

The pushing for the changes were mainly due to the new ISO Standard for Occupational, Health & Safety - ISO 45001 published in March 2018 and subsequent termination of SS506 / BS OHSAS 18001.

Apart from aligning to the new ISO Standard, the following were also considered and factored in the new checklist:

1. Incorporated WSH 2028 recommendations (Ownership, Health and Technology), Design for Safety in designing the questions
2. No specific elements for “Leadership/Commitment” and “Consultation and participation of workers” but have questions embedded in 20 Elements as appropriate
3. UAI reference had been removed
4. Localised guidance notes on WSHMS for auditors / Occupiers, e.g. bizSAFE, SnapSAFE, CultureSAFE, STO, TWSH, etc
5. Specific parameters and requirement are defined for implementation before credits can be given
6. Reduce 4-Band to a 3-Band structure to be less focus on documentation
7. Increase to 20 Elements from 17 Elements
8. Reduce the total number of questions from 348 to 204, reduced by 41.4%
9. Focus more checks on implementation, 52.2% compared to current version of 38% on implementation
10. Re-format the Interview of Personnel (IP) questionnaires

Essentially, for organisations whom already certified to ISO 45001, it would be easier for project sites to appreicate the new changes. However, since ConSASS is designed to apply at project site level, the changes on the new checklist will not affect too much on the current workplace safety and health practices at worksite. Project site will just need to plan and prepare the project site team for additional implementation evidences to be demonstrated to the auditors.

Call us now to find out more from our experience auditors!
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]

30/08/2022

Are you aware that for certain prescribed classes of workplace will require the appointment of a Workplace Safety and Health Officer (WSHO)?

"Workplaces requiring workplace safety and health officers
8.—(1) Every workplace within the prescribed class or description of workplaces specified in the Second Schedule shall have appointed in writing in respect thereof a workplace safety and health officer.
(2) A workplace safety and health officer referred to in paragraph (1) shall be appointed by the occupier of a workplace.
(3) Any occupier of a workplace who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction."

WSHO duties include:
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
Provide recommendations to the occupier of the workplace or other person in charge of the workplace reasonably practicable measures to eliminate or minimise 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.
Propose recommendations on the establishment and implementation of safe work procedures to control the risk.

For such a critical and specialised appointment, you should probably consider outsourcing to the specialist like us!

You can have a peace of mind getting the job done by a professionally qualified and experienced specialist. Our consultants who are mainly experienced practitioners are able to value add to your team and achieve your business goals together.

Contact us now to discuss further!
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]

25/08/2022

As our business grows, data management tends to get more complicated. The volume and categories of data under your control increases, the movement and accessibility of data can be hard to track – and security becomes a bigger challenge. With emerging technologies tapping on big data to advance our benefits, the challenge of managing is even bigger.

Organisations could address the challenges through the implementation of an information security management system (ISMS). This is essentially an internal set of rules, processes, procedures and tools which could assist organisations to tackle potential information related risks such as cyber attacks, data breaches, accidental losses, theft, etc.

The ultimate goal of having such a management system is to ensure that organisations could conduct their businesses without worrying any possible information security threats. Secondary is to have a process in place to respond to any incoming information security threat when internal measures failed.

Currently, there is government grant available. Want to know more on how we can assist?

Feel free to contact us!
6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]

24/08/2022

Facing internal and external issues are part and parcel of business. Nobody like to be disrupted from their routine. However, with fast moving pace in the business world, issues can come quick and cause disruption to your business even before you know it.

Although we acknowledge that we cannot anticipate all the negative scenarios that could disrupt our business, but, we could proactively determine and assess the potential negative scenarios and introduce mitigation measures accordingly. More importantly, we should carry out such process systematically and consistently.

ISO 22301 standard specifies requirements to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a documented management system to protect against, reduce the likelihood of occurrence, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents when they arise. This standard is applicable to all organizations, or parts thereof, regardless of type, size and nature of the organization.

Want to know more on how we can assist?
Contact US at 6316 6602 / 9388 1104
[email protected]

19/08/2022

This sweeping change in data security has led the Singapore Government to recognize the importance of organizational compliance and transparency education.
This has led to the IMDA launching the Data Protection Trustmark Certification (DPTM), which is open to any Singapore-based entity.

Good news!

Enterprise Singapore is still providing grants for SMEs to support SMEs in improving their competitiveness and boost consumer confidence.

One of the frequent questions that we receive from our clients before they appoint us as their consultant are....

HOW DO I GET STARTED??? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE??

Click on the image below to learn how to obtain DPTM certification!

Alternatively, you may call us to find out more!
6316 6602 / 93881104
[email protected]

15/08/2022

Do we want our next generation to still be able to the beautiful nature of the earth?

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for the management of environmental while organisation carrying out their businesses. Controls on pollution prevention will be prescibed by organsation for those activities that have an effect on the environment.

It was establsihed basing on plan-do-check-act principle and sets out requirements for organisations to put in place an environmental policy and objectives that take into account relevant legal and other requirements.

While it does not specify environmental performance criteria, it does encompass the environmental issues that the organisation can control or influence.

Many organisations have already attained ISO 14001 certification and have then seen the positive effects on the organsations' business processes. Most importantly, it also plays a part in discharing its duty to protect our environment.

Want to know more on how to establish an environmental management system? Feel free to call us!

Quesh Consultants (Pte.) Ltd
[email protected]
9388 1104