Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Training Safety and Health KPI

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene: To ask the Minister for Defence whether training safety and health issues can be included as a distinct key performance indicator in a commander's annual performance appraisal in the Singapore Armed Forces and in the evaluation process of units for the annual SAF Best Unit and Best NS Unit competitions.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen: Mdm, the safety and health of our soldiers is of utmost importance to the SAF and the SAF holds our commanders to high standards of safety and health in their units. The members asked for the annual performance scheme and I will tell them that the appraisal of our commanders includes an assessment of how well their units meet standards in safety and health. Those who uphold high standards are duly recognised. If commanders or their units are found to have unsatisfactory safety or health standards, they not only receive poor performance appraisals, it is something docked against them. Commanders who flout safety rules or allow unsafe practices are also dealt with seriously. The annual Best Unit Competition has always assessed units in the areas of safety and health. In this regard, our units are audited annually on training safety, occupational safety and health, and motor-transport safety.  So to be able to participate in the Best Unit Competition, units must achieve a high safety score of at least 90%. This applies both to active and NS units.

And beyond using safety as a key performance indicator for our commanders and units, we have always emphasised the importance of a strong safety culture. Units are encouraged to report near-misses, unsafe practices, and safety breaches. And commanders have been reminded, and are reminded often that safety is a command responsibility.