The WHS+ consultation and audit programme is to help high risk workplaces that use toxic substances and/or workplaces with noisy processes, to manage their WH hazards and reduce workers’ exposure risks, via a systematic approach of identification, evaluation, control and review of the measures.
At a glance
Who is required to undergo this programme
Identified workplaces with high exposure to toxic substances and noise are required by MOM to undergo WHS+ consultation and audit programme. Considerations for placing workplaces under this programme could include, but are not limited to, results of hygiene monitoring and incidence of occupational diseases (ODs).
Programme requirements
Companies will be required to carry out the following:
- Implement relevant occupational health (OH) programmes.
- Implement upstream risk controls or improve existing control measures.
- Review effectiveness of control measures and OH programmes periodically.
Phase 1: Gap analysis
Companies are required to:
- Conduct gap analysis of OH programmes such as Management of Hazardous Chemicals Programme (MHCP) or Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP)
- Review the identified gaps and develop action plans to address the gaps identified
The gap analysis can be conducted by an in-house team with the relevant training and experience in managing these hazards. Alternatively, company may engage a consultant or competent person such as a Registered Industrial Hygienist (RIH) or Workplace Safety and Health Officer (WSHO) with relevant training and experience in managing OH hazards to assist them in conducting the gap analysis.
You can refer to the list of service providers offering:
Phase 2: Control and implementation (CI)
Companies are required to explore practicable upstream risk controls (elimination, substitution, and engineering controls) and select suitable and effective risk control solutions to be implemented for high-risk work processes. These measures should help to reduce workers' exposure levels to as low as reasonably practicable below 50% of permissible exposure levels for chemical exposure or Leq8hr 82 dBA for noise. You may engage a consultant such as noise control consultant or ventilation design engineer to advise you on the suitable control measures for your high-risk processes.
As some controls may require more time to implement, company must ensure workers exposed to WH hazards are adequately protected with PPE while improvement works are in progress.
Regular toxic substances or noise monitoring will have to be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the control measures implemented.
Your company will have to ensure that the relevant OH programme is fully established to protect your workers from excessive exposure to the hazard.
Phase 3: Conduct third-party audit (where applicable)
If your company is required to implement Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) and subject to regular SHMS audits, your completed gap analysis checklist should be provided for the audit of OH programmes under SHMS. WSH auditors will assess to ensure the following requirements have been fulfilled:
- The risk control measures are properly implemented.
- The relevant OH Programmes continue to be implemented and are effective.
The WSH auditor will use the gap analysis checklists to audit the relevant OH Programmes and attach the completed document into the final audit report to company.
You can refer to the list of service providers offering:
Continual Improvement
Companies with WH hazards should continue to evaluate the effectiveness of their implemented control measures and OH Programmes through regular monitoring and assessment. Any new work processes or activities introduced to the workplace should be evaluated and have suitable control measures implemented to reduce the risk to employees.
Available Resources
Companies can refer to the list of approved service providers for: