Review of Improvement Awareness of Safety Enforcement in SME Industry

This report reviews the improvement in awareness of safety enforcement within the construction industry, specifically focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It acknowledges the crucial role of the Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) Act in fostering positive safety practices and the efforts of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in enhancing WSH standards. The study investigates the effectiveness of enforcement methods in improving safety standards within an organization, considering the challenges faced by SMEs in balancing safety needs with financial constraints. It explores factors influencing safety awareness, such as lack of experience among workers, inadequate risk management, and insufficient enforcement, while also examining enforcement strategies at various levels, drawing examples from international bodies like OSHA. The research aims to determine the impact of enforcement actions by management on safety awareness and ultimately improve WSH standards in the construction industry.

Review the improvement awareness of safety
enforcement in construction industry for small
medium enterprise (SME)
Name:HHH
Nric:
Submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements of the
BSc (Hons) Degree Safety Health and Environmental Management
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Acknowledgement
Firstly, I would like to express my whole-hearted gratitudeto my supervisor Mr
_____________ for all his assistance and guidance for the timely completion of my
honours project. His intuitiveand critical comments are greatly valuable. I am truly
honoured to have him as my mentor who always spares the extra mile to help his
students.
Secondly, I would like to thank my management from ______________ who
approved the research program to be conducted within the organization. Without
them, the genuine approach of the study would not be conclusive to assess the
improvement awareness of enforcement. Special mentioned to Mr Wilson Tan, my
project manager who has permit the study to be carried out while he is aware that it
may affect and somehow cause minor impedance to the progress during the data
collection. All this is made possible with his beliefthat the research may yearn positive
results to continually improve safety. In addition, I am very grateful to Mr
______________WSH manager who has supported me in the data collection
development. I truly appreciate the guidance and assistance from him and his team
of safety coordinators, supervisor who have facilitate the process of obtaining data
from the volunteered workers. Not forgetting the workers and supervisors who
volunteered to be part of the data collection process and gave their full commitment
to determine the accuracy of the data.
Thirdly, ____________________CEO, whom is committed and open to new ideas to
improve the safety culture of his company. His great passion and interest to increase
the safety standards of V3 construction Pte ltd has motivated me to be more focus
and meticulous in the data analysis process. Furthermore, I am greatly honoured
thatthe result of the analysis will be greatly considered as part of the counteraction
program for the annual management review.
Lastly and most importantly to my family, my wife and my 3 sons, who have been
enduring the lack of family timewhile I am juggling my work and studies. Thanks to
them for make this all possible and achievable task for me.
It has been a long yet valuable experience for me.
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Abstract
The Workplace Safety & health (WSH) Act is the most crucial part of the framework
for cultivating positive safety practices in all individuals which ultimately reinforced a
strong safety culture in all workplaces. Since the introduction of the WSH act in
March 2006, Ministry of manpower (MOM) the regulatory bodies enforcing it have
played a vital role in the improvement of WSH standards nationwide across all
sectors. Internally, they have introduce various regulations, established various
department and platforms to promote, educate and enforce the acts and subsidiary
legislation.
Among the three guiding principles of the WSH acts, there is two which I would like to
bring to your attention. Encouraging the industries to adopt greater ownership of
safety and health and impose higher penalties for poor management safety
outcomes, which are related to topic that I would like to bring to your attention. While
the four key features on the act focus on placing responsibilities on stakeholders who
to control and ensure safety in the workplace, WSH systems and outcomes, facilitate
effective enforcement through the issuance of remedial order and imposing higher
penalties for non-compliance and unsafe behaviour. It is largely known that the
stringent penalties and BUS programme has been an initiative by MOM to uphold the
principle and key features of the act. With the regulatory body continually enhancing
its deterrence programs, there is a vital need for companies including SME to move
parallel forward to implement it companywide and influence its progression.
Hence this study aims to review the improvement in awareness of safety
enforcement in construction industry for Small medium enterprise.
There are two main components in the study……………………….
Keywords: Construction Safety enforcement, Small medium Enterprise (SME),
Improvement awareness, Enforcement
Total word count:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title: Review the improvement awareness of safety enforcement in construction
industry for small medium enterprise (SME)
No Title Pg
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Research purpose
1.3 Research aims & objective
Chapter 2: Literature review
Chapter 3: Rationale
Chapter 4: Research methods and design
Chapter 5: Data collection and Analysis
Chapter 6: Results
Chapter 7: Discussion
Chapter 8 : Proposed recommendation
Chapter 9 : Conclusion
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
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1.1 Background.
There are 180,000 local small organization which sums up to 99% of the enterprise
in Singapore which contribute to almost 50% of her GDP.(Singapore Business
Federation, 2014).The recent business report by Singapore credit bureau on Q3
2017 reportedthat the construction sector continues to be hit hard by slow demand
and sluggish payments. While it is hypothetically known that this affected groups
contributed to the figures tabulated in the WSH national statistics report, it
sympathize us more to know how the SME balanced out the need for safety in
workplace while simultaneously managing their cash flow. Proving that ,a research
article by (Sunindijo, 2015), studies conducted in Australia concluded that despite
their significant contribution economically to the construction sector, they are incline
to have a poorer safety practices than their bigger counterparts due to various
factors.
In an article by (Ayessaki and Smallwood, 2017) it claimed that inspection and
enforcement would increase the overall safety and health attentiveness and the
corrective effects will occur more greatly at the specific site.(McQuiston, Zakocs and
Loomis, 1998) It is interesting to prove that the claim is rather more applicable for
SME which generally have fewer worksite.
In a report by WSH council (Council, 2009), the national strategy aims to achieve a
country well known for best performances in Workplace safety and health. Launched
by the Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Commitment from leaders of different
organization, the WSH 2018 sets targets to support the former. In it strategies were
developed to make this goal possible. In line with the guiding principle and key
features of the WSH acts, one of the main focus in these new stratagems are
encouraging the industries to adopt greater ownership of safety and health and
impose higher penalties for poor management safety outcomes. The implementation
of effective regulatory framework focus on targeted intervention and enforcement
based on analysis trends. Therefore there is an urgent need for SME companies
whom is also applicable for the improvement to ride and move parallel on this
schemes to steer their personnel and direct them on to the common path.
Hence this paper seeks to identify the effectiveness of enforcement method as
approach and identify the necessary actions and evaluation needed to enhance
safety in the Construction industry. In doing so, it will explore the degree of extent
this method will be useful to achieve improved level of safety and recognize the
advantages and limitations while doing so.
1.2 Research Purpose
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The statistic reported for workplace fatalities remain stagnant in 2016 with 24
fatalities accounted from the construction industry alone(OSHD annual report 2016,
2016). The figure here raise doubts on the effectiveness of the enforcement action.
While various operations and method had been steered by MOM to increase
awareness and importance of safety, there is still doubts whether this programmes
have reached out to the SME whom theoretically contributed to the ever worrying
trend. The purpose of these research is to review the effectiveness of internal
enforcement programmes as a method of approach to improve awareness and
safety standards within my organization. The result gained will be a point of
reference to continually increase the stringency of safety programmes in my
organization.
1.3 Research aim and objectives
The aim of the study is to determine the effect of enforcement as an action by middle
to top management from my company. It aims to evaluate the awareness when such
programmes is implemented internally.
The objective of this study is to ascertain the efficiency of enforcement as a method
of application to improve awareness in my organization which ultimately aims to
increase WSH standards
At the end of the study, the factual data may be used to justify the need for
enforcement to improve the awareness in the ever dynamic state of construction
industry for SME.
CHAPTER 2: Literature Review
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2.1 Importance of Safety Awareness in the construction industry
Awareness defines the ability of one knowledge or perception to a particular situation
or fact. In Workplace safety and health context, it is one of thekey actionsthat are
essential for result in a positive impact towards safety. In point of fact, a research by
(Tam, Zeng and Deng, 2004) concluded that the main factors affecting safety
performance is poor awareness from top management downright to the workers who
receive insufficient safety information or put to task to reckless operations. Globally,
the construction industry is recognized as one of the most hazardous industries due
to its distinctive nature(Tam, Zeng and Deng, 2004). The size of the construction
company, the economic pressure, management training and culture are one of the
findings that were concluded in his research. Awareness is also known as one of the
positive action in cultural intervention to promote safe work environments and reduce
workers unsafe behaviours which ultimately affect the WSH performance of a
worksite.(Chen and Jin, 2015)
2.1.1 Factors influencing awareness
Lack of experience and competent workers.
The continuous exchange rate of foreign worker affects the WSH performance
nationwide. In the report by Ministry of manpower (OSHD annual report 2016, 2016),
unskilled workers contributed to more fatal accidents in comparison to skilled
workers. The skilled workers undergo a specific skill set of training which integrates
safety in their home country before arriving to Singapore to work. Employers shall
implement program internally to facilitate the adaptation process of these workers
with their experience counterparts. The buddy system greatly helps these new
workers to understand and learn faster. Generally the change of relationship factors
results in new sets of risk from work environment, technologies and change of
workforce.(Ismail, Doostdar and Harun, 2012)
Inadequate risk management
In the report compiled, (OSHD annual report 2016, 2016) 87% of companies failed to
carry out comprehensive risk assessment and suitable control measures. The risk
assessments conducted were found to be merely paper exercise. There were no
communications established to ensure these sets of documents and its contents
were implemented effectively. Management factor to provide leadership, direction
and prevention planning is crucial to ensure that the employees improve to inculcate
awareness(Ismail, Doostdar and Harun, 2012)
Lack of Safety and health enforcement.
Generally, in most building construction projects the enforcement for safety and
health is solely under the responsibility of the safety department. On the other hand,
industries like the oil / petrochemical, the other groups function and move together to
ensure safety practices are adhered to. As for the construction industry, the project
management teams are mostly concerned with inspections from authority bodies and
ignore the importance of creating a safety culture at the workplace. (Times, 2016)
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2.2 Enforcement
Enforcement is the process of ensuring compliance with laws, regulations or rules.
To ensure that sets policies and programmes outreach to the last worker on the
ground, enforcement efforts need to be build on strong foundation. Many studies
have shown the optimal impact of enforcement (Gray, 1993)(Sherratt, Farrell and
Noble, 2012)
Consideration shall also be given to the object that of enforcement to yield a better
results. Commonly, inspecting the safety management systems, risk assessment and
systematic prevention measure has become the main focus of
enforcement(Niskanen, 2013)
2.2.1 Application of enforcement strategy at various levels
a) International Strategy
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a governing agency of the
United States department of labour. Signed by the President, Richard M. Nixon in the
1970s, the occupational safety and health act aims to ensure safe and beneficial
working conditions for all by setting and enforcing standards, provision of training,
outreach education and assistance.(McQuiston, Zakocs and Loomis, 1998) OSHA
follows the classic deterrence theory whereby the agency carries out its enforcement
by conducting site inspections. Not to be confused with the OHSAS which is known
for British standards for safety management system, the acronyms here differ from
country to country. A point to note is these regulatory bodies have a common goal, to
prevent accident and injury or ill health.
b) National strategy
In 2016, there have been 28 workplace fatalities in the first four months. These
figures have rose from 22 compared to the same period last year. To arrest the
decline in performance, the ministry of manpower, the regulatory body for WSH in
Singapore, has introduced stiffer penalties to ensure employers take greater
ownership of WSH.
- Tightening the conditions to lift SWO.
Errant companies who refused to comply with WSH requirements will be put to
task. Stop work orders will be issue and MOM itself will steer these companies to
improve its conditions.(Swo and Swo, no date)
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Fig 1: List of worksite issue with SWO (stop work order)
Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/~/media/mom/documents/safety.../stop-
work-orders.pdf
In the above figure, companies were put to task for failure to ensure compliance or
display reasonable standards during the enforcement operation. This information is
regularly updated and easily retrieved thru the website.
- Strengthening Business under surveillance programs
When a worksite is issued with SWO or have workplace fatalities occurred, they will
be put to task. There are requirements that they continually have to adhere to ensure
that they display reasonable standard of safety in the workplace.
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Fig 2: List of companies under Business under Surveillance programme (BUS)
Source: http://www.mom.gov.sg/~/media/mom/documents/safety-health/reports-
stats/list-of-companies-under-bus.pdf
The BUS programme helps poor performing companies to improve their WSH
performance by ensuring that they develop and implement strong safety and health
management system. The companies are responsible to report their action plan
progress regularly to the OSHD whom conducts frequent inspections to verify the
improvements made. This strategy have somehow create awareness nationwide and
known largely for its tedious process
- Temporary suspension of access to foreign workers.
Companies under the BUS programme, experiencing SWO or had workplace
fatalities will have their Man Year entitlement freeze for application. The grants for
hiring new foreign workers will be given once they display significant improvement
and their systemic issues have been addressed thoroughly.
Internal Strategy for SME
Ever since its placement in the BUS programme initiated by Ministry of
manpower(MOM) in 2016, V3 construction Pte ltd has taken significant step to
address the substandard safety performance. With the stiffer penalties and action
taken by MOM there is a need for V3 construction to move in line with the
enforcement strategy internally.(Gopang et al., 2017) The defence for compromising
safety due to its organization scale is no longer justified with the ever stringent rules
set by authority. Consequently, improving its performance in this sector can never be
done in isolation.(Sunindijo, 2015)(Wang et al., 2018)
The assumption that SME has exemption to these strategies is inapplicable to all
extent. In a research by (Sunindijo, 2015), it is generally known that the larger
counterpartin the industry usually demonstrate good and reasonable performance.
He added on that it is equally crucial to focus the improvement efforts of small
organization so that on a national level, the overall performance could be improved.
This is further proofed that the construction industry is typically dominate by small
organisation.Therefore bulk of the figures contributed by the national safety statistics
is by SME.(Sunindijo, 2015)
Focusing on its enforcements strategies, Internally, V3 construction pte ltd enhanced
its safety standards progressively. Kicking it off, the policy was endorsed and
committed by top management. The zero tolerance towards high risk behaviour was
one of the main actions. She then introduced specific site safety requirements for its
contractual requirement for subcontractors. Analytically, It is believe that the related
barriers associated with poor performance is failure to indicate safety as an indicator
in tender evaluation(Sunindijo, 2015). The safety programmes were then improved to
ensure that continual enforcement is covered in most aspect. Collectively, the safety
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inspection by Safety department, observations by project team, compliance audit
results were the basis of its enforcement action.(Saurin, 2016) Errant contractors
were issue with administrative charges and frequent violators were taken to task.
Fig 3. Source: (Wang et al., 2018)
Conceptually it began to adopt the approach from all level as in figure 3.It began to
formalized its operation and safety practices. Theycontinually adjusted their
strategies, evolution behaviour form all levels, dynamic changes in all player
behaviour (government, owner and its employees) and ultimately gained reasonable
results.(Wang et al., 2018)
CHAPTER 3: RATIONALE
With the regulatory body continually enhancing its deterrence programme(Saurin,
2016) through more stringent WSH penalties, BUS programme, there is a vital need
for companies to move parallel forward to implement the enforcement programme
companywide and influence the progression(WSH Institute, 2016)
Herewith we would like to ascertain the outcome of internal enforcement to improve
WSH compliance, its benefit and limitation to embrace as a tool to develop a robust
safety and health management system.
The introduction of stringent in house rules and regulation is a common tool to
intervene any unsafe act and condition but the question is does it have any effect on
the awareness of the workforce. Does poor enforcement have impact on poor safety
culture.?(Love, Ding and Luo, 2016)
CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN
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Methods (Communication)
In the effort to avoid dispute that may arise during the enforcement, a
comprehensive list of administrative charges shall be issued to prospective
subcontractors as part of their contractual obligations. Internally, the list shall be
attached to all employment contract and they are briefed by the human resource
department / top management on their obligations as an employee. To avoid
miscommunication the enforcement policy and program shall be translated and
explained to all foreign workers.
Methods – (Selection process)
15 workers will be voluntary selected during the toolbox talk from my company to be
involved in the study. Out of the 15, 12 will be from workers and 3 will be from
supervisory level. The workers will be from Bangladesh, India and Thai national. The
3 supervisor who formed as the participant will be of Indian national. All the
participants selected in this process will be above the age of 21. No underage
employment will be selected for the study. It is V3 construction pte ltd company
policy to contravene any labour laws.
The 15 participants selected will be done on voluntary basis. As the whole study is
part of the company implementations, the existing system will be applied to
companywide. However the data collection will be based on the response of the
volunteered participants. As comparison study after the test, the personnel selected
shall undergo a set of questionnaire. The supervisor selected shall not be those with
more than 2 year experience to avoid an outstanding performance in the first stage
of questionnaire. The workers selected shall only possess CSOC (Construction
safety orientation course for workers) to ensure they do not have any background of
formal safety or supervisory certification that may affect the result of the study in the
early stage. Preferably the new workers shall be selected to ensure reliability of the
result
Methods (Tools - conducting questionnaire and interview)
Basically there are 3 stages for the data collection process.As the method of the
study involved comparison on conscious level of employees, those with more than 2
year experience shall be filtered out from the process.
The first stage will have 10 close ended choice questions for workers and 6 close
ended questions for supervisory level.
Stage 2 will consist of 5 close ended interview questions which will be done
personally. Interview will be conducted separately with true / false answer prepared
to evaluate their understanding in the initial stage. The interview will be conducted
personally at a scheduled period. Each interview will last not more than 1hour and
will be conducted during work hours. The result of the interview will be used for data
analysis.
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