Background

The External Review Panel on SAF Safety (ERPSS) was set up by the former Safety and Systems Review Directorate in October 2013 to review various safety aspects of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). In July 2017, the second ERPSS was convened to continue reviewing the SAF's safety management systems and processes. The second ERPSS was headed by Mr Heng Chiang Gnee, Director of MMA Offshore Limited, and supported by eleven safety experts and professionals from outside of the SAF.

Enhancements to the SAF's Safety Systems

In the course of its three-year tenure, the second ERPSS conducted nine visits to SAF formations, units and exercises. The panel observed training activities and recommended improvements to the SAF's safety management systems. The SAF has incorporated the second ERPSS' recommendations in various key areas:

a. Strengthening Safety Culture. Since 2019, the SAF has implemented an Action Learning Process for units to discuss safety pointers before, during, and after activities to entrench good safety habits. In the same year, the SAF also appointed Safety Advocate in all units. Unit commanders select servicemen, who in their capacity as Safety Advocates, gather safety observations and concerns of their peers to relay to unit commanders and help facilitate sharings on safety-related matters. These efforts help to inculcate a zero-accident mindset among both commanders and servicemen, and uphold a collective responsibility for safety.

b. Strengthening Open-Reporting Culture. The SAF has implemented several initiatives to encourage servicemen to report safety hazards, near-misses and incidents. Some initiatives include digital platforms such as the SafeGuardian application, safety hotlines and the embedding of open-reporting into routine activities. These allow for safety observations to be promptly translated into safety pointers and guidelines, lessons and improvements to protocols.

c. Enhancing Knowledge of Safety Officers. The SAF provides safety appointment holders with opportunities to attend safety training courses and seminars conducted both in-house and by external agencies. Servicemen are required to maintain a broad perspective on safety and have good knowledge of the current safety best practices in the industry.

d. Strengthening Safety during Maintenance Operations. Prior to conducting maintenance tasks, servicemen undergo mandatory safety checks, such as the Think-Check-Do safety drill introduced in February 2019, to ensure readiness for the safe execution of the tasks. This empowers servicemen to take greater ownership of their safety in a systematic manner.

e. Integrating Workplace Safety and Health. Occupational Health and Safety matters are routinely reviewed in safety forums at various levels to address and develop appropriate intervention measures. The SAF adopts a holistic and integrated approach to ensure that the physical, mental and social well-being of servicemen are accounted for.

f. Enhancing Professional Authority of Medics. Medics are certified and able to exercise their professional authority in medical decisions. Enlistees with relevant background in nursing and biomedical science will be prioritised to become medics.

g. Utilising Data for Accident Prevention. The SAF leverages data analytics to support accident prevention. From April 2020, safety inspectors employ the WeLearn application to perform training inspections. Through data analytics, suitable preventive actions can be identified from the training inspection data to prevent potential accidents. Since mid-2021, the Enterprise Safety Information System which utilises data analytics to conduct trend analysis of open reports on hazards/near-misses (gathered via Safeguardian and Army Open Reporting – FormSG) has also been rolled out progressively.

h. Ensuring Safety Standards of MINDEF Approved Contractors. Employed contractors of MINDEF/SAF are subject to audits and worksite surveillance to ensure adherence to safety standards. MINDEF/SAF has also adopted bizSAFE Level 3^[1], a recognised Workplace Safety and Health standard, as a tender criteria for employing contractors.

Inauguration of the Third ERPSS

The third ERPSS was inaugurated on 10 February 2021 and comprises 12 experts and professionals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to capture a broad spectrum of views and perspectives. The members are:

*Members from the second ERPSS

^[1] Companies awarded with bizSAFE Level 3 certification have fully implemented risk management systems that are audited by an independent MOM-approved Workplace Safety and Health auditor.