Written Answer to PQ on WSH Advocate Programme and Support for SMEs to Achieve WSH Accreditation

NOTICE PAPER NO. 237 OF 2025 FOR THE SITTING ON 4 NOV 2025
QUESTION NO. 849 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) contractors and sub-contractors have benefitted from the WSH Advocate Programme to date; and (b) what further support can be provided to help smaller firms with limited resources achieve WSH (Workplace Safety and Health) accreditation such as BizSAFE Level 3.

Answer:

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Advocate Programme brings together major service buyers to champion WSH excellence among their extensive supply chains. This involves taking into consideration the safety records of firms during contract awards, and helping to uplift their contractors’ safety capability. As at September 2025, there were 37 WSH Advocates, whose initiatives have benefited close to 2,900 SMEs in their collective supply chains.

2. The Government adopts a multi-pronged approach to help SMEs achieve WSH accreditation such as bizSAFE, which involves fulfilling requirements such as completing risk management training courses, establishing systematic risk management processes and undergoing independent verification by an auditor. First, StartSAFE is a fully subsidised programme by the WSH Council to help SMEs
identify and address WSH risks, with a view to obtaining bizSAFE accreditation. Second, there are government grants to support SMEs in capability building. These include the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) for adopting WSH technology solutions, and the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs that provides higher subsidies for WSH training. Third, the WSH Council partners with SME Centres to guide SMEs in enhancing their WSH capabilities.

3. MOM and our partners will continue to encourage SMEs to take advantage of these support measures and monitor their effectiveness.