SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower whether existing office workplaces are generally safe and what steps his Ministry is taking to ensure that our work environment will be highly favourable and on par with OHS standards of developed countries.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Office environment in Singapore is generally safe. Our offices are mostly air-conditioned. There may be potential air pollutants from the use of office equipment, ie, `sick building' syndrome. However, good air quality can be achieved by adequate ventilation and proper maintenance of the air conditioning system. My Ministry and the Ministry of the Environment are monitoring the situation. Guidelines on improving the indoor air quality of such premises have been issued. Our assessment is that currently air quality in the office workplaces is generally within the acceptable limits and there is no cause for alarm.

Nevertheless, my Ministry will continue to provide safety and health training for workers and promote a culture of safety and health at work. Last year, the Factories Act was amended extensively to enhance safety at workplaces. We will continue to actively enforce safety and health laws. Industries with poor safety performance, such as construction industry, will receive special attention. However, maintaining high standards of safety and health at work requires the commitment and combined efforts of employers, workers and regulatory agencies. We must work closely in partnership to achieve a safe and healthy work environment for all workers.