Programme
11 September, Wednesday
8.00am | Registration / Onsite check-in |
9.00am | Opening Ceremony |
9.15am | Opening Address |
9.30am | Keynote Address
Dr David Michaels
Professor, Milken Institute School of Public Health George Washington University
Keynote Address
In the Conference keynote, Dr David Michaels will share how implementing robust collaborative workplace safety management practices can significantly improve productivity and business value. By mastering risk identification and mitigation, companies enhance their operational processes, which in turn boosts productivity. Furthermore, a strong commitment to safety supports employees’ well-being, fostering a culture of trust. This increased trust and well-being among employees lead to higher motivation and, consequently, greater productivity. Additionally, maintaining a safe workplace environment reduces the frequency and severity of injuries, minimising downtime, and associated costs. Beyond these financial gains, prioritising safety also demonstrates corporate responsibility, which enhances the company's brand reputation. |
10.00am | Tea Break |
10.30am | Plenary 1
The Untapped Potential: WSH for Business Sustainability
Leaders, as key change agents, wield significant influence in fostering Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) excellence within organisations. By leveraging ESG frameworks and making sound investments in WSH, they create responsible and resilient operations. Speakers:
Unlocking the WSH Door with Key Business Decisions
As a strategic business objective, good health and safety performance leads to greater productivity and sustainability. The health, safety and well-being of employees should thus be a top priority for any business. In his presentation, Dr Franke Ralf will share with us how Siemens AG leverages on WSH to drive productivity and achieve their business goals. Mr Lim Tien Hock
People Leadership. WSH Ownership.
The business of SBS Transit is about the people for the people. As it strives to move people safely and reliably, leadership is instrumental in leading its people to accomplishing the organisation's mission and achieving the desired outcomes. Leaders need to take ownership of employees’ safety and health - a business multiplier - and as part of its commitment to ESG to bring about better business outcomes.
Mr Harcharan Singh
WSH: The First Step Towards Sustainable Development
Sustainability goals and ESG principles are moving businesses globally towards greater resiliency as part of a more robust business strategy. Sunway Paving Solutions is similarly taking concrete steps and making progress towards their own goals and targets. Mr Harcharan Singh will share more about Sunway’s governance structure on occupational health and safety, their focus on ESG and related best practices that cement their strong organisational WSH culture.
Moderator: |
11.50am | Symposium 1A
Profit with Purpose: Choosing the Safe Path
Prioritising WSH in business strategies brings financial and operational benefits, giving organisations a strong competitive edge. Speakers:
Return on Investment: The Financial Benefits of Employers' OHS Expenditures
WSH is an investment with long-term gains, yet many businesses have the misconception that is an unnecessary cost and have placed WSH as a low priority. This session discusses the potential financial returns with empirical evidence for the manufacturing, construction and transportation sectors. Mr David Glenister
Redefining our Workplace Safety & Health DNA
Lendlease moved from beyond meeting statutory and organisational requirements to ensuring WSH is ingrained in the organisation’s DNA. Understand how Lendlease prioritises front-end planning and robust risk management to ensure safety measures are in place well before any project commences. Mr Francis Ung
Achieving Business Success Through Safety and Health
Started in 1978, Zheng Keng grew from a plumbing and sanitary works contractor to a main contractor taking on large institutional, residential and commercial projects in Singapore. Expanding and transforming a business is challenging in the current volatile operating environment but is essential for a company’s survival. The speaker will share how they grew exponentially by placing WSH at the core of their operations, demonstrating the significance of WSH and its impact on business success.
Moderator: Symposium 1B
Sustainable and Safe Supply Chains
Supply chains have been around for many years. However, more and more companies are paying attention to ethical and social obligations to ensure the sustainability of their supply chains. A sustainable supply chain protects their people and environment across the operations. Investors also look to make more socially and environmentally sound investments. Speakers:
Improving OSH along the Global Supply Chains - ILO’s Perspective
A safe and healthy working environment is not only a fundamental principle and right at work but also an essential requirement for fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. To achieve this goal, a multi-dimensional approach is required, including that through supply chains. Information on global tools and available technical assistance will be shared, with an emphasis on the role enterprises play in ensuring decent work for all workers involved in the supply chain. Ms Jenny Katharina Ohme
Effective Collaboration for Sustainable Supply Chains – Experiences from the German Supply Chain Act
The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act mandates, among other things, companies to uphold workers’ rights related to occupational safety and health throughout their supply chains. It is not just about implementing an appropriate and effective risk management system along the supply chain; the obligation also mandates companies to designate an individual responsible for monitoring and regularly reviewing the system. Learn from the insights of the German Helpdesk on Business and Human Rights how corporate governance and compliance systems have evolved to meet the new requirements and duties outlined in the Act, as well as how collaboration in the supply chain plays a role in fulfilling these requirements. Mr Vipul Chawla
A Sustainable, Safe and Secure Workplace for All
FairPrice prioritises safety and sustainability in their operations. With business partners all over the world –in over 100 countries, they expect their suppliers to observe applicable laws for workplace safety and health. In addition, FairPrice works collaboratively with its partners to provide a safe and secure working environment for their employees, contractors and suppliers. Learn how FairPrice ensures a sustainable value chain through caring for the safety and health of workers. Mr Ricky Loo
Safe Routes to Success: Delivering Value Integrated Logistics with WSH
Logistics service providers represent a critical link in supply chain management. From warehouse operations to delivery fulfilment, many intricate functions interweave to form the backbone of logistics support. Working with companies with good environment, social and governance policies, and WSH records have brought about success for CWT; providing greater connectivity to markets. Moderator: |
1.00pm | Lunch |
2.20pm | Plenary 2
Revolutionising Work: Enhance WSH through Technology
With rapid technological advancements, globalisation, climate change and shifting demographics, the nature of work is undergoing a profound transformation, presenting both challenges and opportunities. It is imperative to assess and optimise practices for relevancy and applicability. The discussions will centre on strategies for work of the future, emphasising the importance of data-driven decision-making, integration of technologies to enhance WSH, and empowerment of workers in making decisions on safety. Speakers:
AI - Friend or Foe? Navigating the Future Workplace
The rise of artificial intelligence will see workplace disruptions and challenges, such as job displacements. Yet, workplace safety can be optimised through data-driven strategies and integrating cutting-edge technologies. Friend or foe, the future of work is set to change with the impact of AI. Ms Chia Lye Peng
Data Analytics: Shaping Future Workplace Safety
In an era of rapid technological advancements, leveraging big data can assist companies to make better WSH decisions and stay ahead of challenges. By integrating data analytics tools, companies can redefine safety strategies and improve their risk management to better foster a culture of safety. Associate Professor Jason Lee
Building WSH Resilience through Technology
Climate change and soaring temperatures in Singapore have put workers, especially those engaged in work outdoors, at an elevated risk of heat stress. The associated impact on workers' health and well-being is of concern and can affect their safety and productivity. Tackling these weather extremes requires new adaptation measures to enhance heat resiliency at the workplace. Technology can be leveraged to address the health and safety issues and challenges arising from heat stress to allow work operations to carry on effectively. Associate Professor Jason Lee will give us insights into some innovative practical strategies and solutions to help companies prevent heat injuries in the workplace amidst rising global temperatures. Moderator: |
3.30pm | Tea Break |
4.00pm | Symposium 2A
Thriving Workplaces in the Age of AI and Automation
The rise in artificial intelligence and automation while creating opportunities for businesses, brings about fresh concerns such as new workplace hazards, job displacements, cybersecurity threats and technological abuse. How can businesses thrive in such new environments?
Speakers:
Elevating Safety and Productivity: Robotics for Working at Heights
Automation can effectively address fall from height risks, increase the quality and productivity of work, and bridge skill gaps for work done. Aegies Building & Engineering Pte Ltd, a WSH Tech Award 2023 winner, shares the power of automation and how it had brought them success. Dr Navin Bhatnagar
Transformative Warehousing Solutions for Enhanced Productivity and Workforce Safety
Driven by advancing technologies, shifting consumer demands and a growing emphasis on sustainability, the warehousing and logistics industry is anticipated to undergo significant transformation. Companies need forward-thinking strategies and to leverage technology to stay ahead in this dynamic landscape. YCH Group, a home-grown supply chain solutions company has set new industry benchmarks, demonstrating how transformative solutions can shape the future of warehousing, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency to be a leading regional supply chain management partner to many of the world’s leading brands across Asia Pacific. Mr Royston Lee
AI-Driven Safety Solutions at Jurong Innovation District
Video analytics monitor workplace activities continuously, delivering to organisations immediate insights to tackle WSH operational issues and challenges promptly. Jurong Innovation District had benefited from such a platform where superior safety standards are maintained onsite, demonstrating the remarkable capabilities of AI. Moderator: Symposium 2B
Blue Zone@Work
As the world’s sixth Blue Zone and with re-employment age to hit 70 by 2030, Singapore’s workforce is expected to be more diverse. How do we ensure that work and the workplace are safe for senior workers?
Speakers:
Harnessing the Silver Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities for Mature Workers
Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly, and with increased life expectancy, one in four Singaporeans will be over 65 years of age by 2030. Hear from Dr Maleena Suppiah on the key insights from a research study “Population Ageing and Slowing Workforce Growth” and learn what companies can do to ensure mature workers’ safety and health and enhance their “work-ability” so that they can continue to be productive at the workplace. Associate Professor Gan Wee Hoe
Creating a Workplace that is Suitable for Employees of All Ages
People are living and working longer. Workplaces are experiencing a demographic shift that is impacting safety and health policies and initiatives, and exacerbating the need for organisations to embrace age diversity and the different talents of a multi-generational team. A total workplace safety and health approach is crucial for organisations to create safer, healthier and a more inclusive workplace to support their long-term success and sustainability. Ms Tan Cheh Tian
Old is Gold, Invest in Your Older Employees!
At UEMS Solutions Pte Ltd, where half of its workforce are mature employees, creating a safe and healthy workplace is of utmost importance. The company redesigned the work environment, adopted technology and implemented age-friendly practices to foster an age-inclusive workplace, bringing about better business performance and innovation while retaining talent. Moderator: |
5.10pm | Conference Closing |
5.30pm | End of Conference |