Youth to play a bigger role in increasing workplace safety in Singapore

Young workers entering the labour force today are the most vulnerable to accidents and injuries in the workplace. According to recent data from the International Labour Organisation, workers aged 15 to 24 are 40% more likely to get injured at work than their older coworkers.

This is the statistic Second Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo cited as she addressed the first international youth congress at the 21st World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.

But according to Teo, it’s precisely this vulnerability that makes tomorrow’s workers the perfect sector to champion the fight for safer workplaces today. This they can do by playing key roles in raising awareness of safety and health at the workplace after being educated on the issue, she said.

Many young workers today are temporary or part-time employees, part of the increasing contingent workforce taking over Singapore’s labour sector. Due to their general lack of workplace experience, they are often the most likely to get into accidents.

Teo explained that this problem is further compounded by the fact that many firms fail to both brief workers on safety on their first day of work and establish risk assessment procedures.

But efforts are underway to ingrain a strong culture of safety among students poised to join the labour force, she said. Teo shared that the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has incorporated 12 workplace safety and health (WSH) courses into its curriculum.

A pioneer batch of 40 WSH Youth Champions were also appointed to be trained in similar safety and health courses, which they will be tasked to bring into their future workplaces and impart upon their peers at seminars.

"You can do your part by practising good safety and health behaviours,” Teo said, addressing the council. “Share your knowledge with those around you and speak up if you see poor practices at workplaces and even in school laboratories.”