Supporting Businesses to Conduct Risk Management and Structural Safety Assessments to Prevent Fire Risks

Question:

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in light of a recent fire at an industrial estate in Eunos, whether the Ministry has any plan to further support small and medium enterprises and smaller industrial operato rs to conduct (i) risk management and (ii) structural safety assessments, to better prevent fire risks at the workplace.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. It is the responsibility of all businesses to comply with the Fire Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Health Act, to ensure a safe workplace environment and minimise fire risks.

2. There are available resources for businesses to draw upon. For example, guidelines and best practices on the safe handling of flammable materials are available on the Workplace Safety and Health Council’s website, while fire safety advisories and relevant resources such as fire safety posters can be found on the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) website. In addition, businesses can reach out to SCDF to seek clarifications on fire safety requirements under the Fire Code.

3. To prepare for fire emergencies, businesses can send their staff to attend SCDF’s Responders Plus Programme, where they will receive free hands-on training on the use of fire extinguishers, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators.