THE FACTORIES ACT

Administered by Ministry of Manpower

(MOM)
Occupational Safety Department
Occupational Health Department
On all FACTORIES where workers are
employed to :-
Make any article or part of it
Alter, repair, clean or break up any article
Adapt any article for sale
The F.A. is a legal requirement relating to the health,
safety and welfare of persons employed in factories and
other workplaces.

It aims to safeguard the safety and health of persons

at work.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY of THE FACTORIES ACT
( CHAPTER 104 )
S/N DESCRIPTION COMMENCEMENT
DATE
1 Factories Act 1973
(Act 6 of 1973) 1 April 1973
2 Factories (Amendment) Act 1978
(Act 19 of 1978) 1 June 1978
3 Factories (Amendment) Act 1979
(Act 27 of 1979) 15 October 1979
4 Factories (Amendment) Act 1984
(Act 5 of 1984) 1 March 1984
5 Statute Law Revision Act 1986
(Act 2 of 1986) 31 January 1986
6 Factories (Amendment) Act 1995
(Act 2 of 1995) 1 April 1995
7 Singapore Productivity and Standards
Board Act 1 April 1996
(Act 1 of 1996)
8 Factories (Amendment) Act 2000
Passed by Parliament on 17 January 2000 1 March 2000
Comes into effect on 1 March 2000
12 parts & 105 section 11 Schedules
Section
18. Prime movers
19. Electric generators and motors
20. Electrical installations and equipment
21. Transmission machinery
22. Other machinery
23. Provision as to unfenced machinery
24. Construction and maintenance
25. Construction and disposal of new machinery
26. Dangerous substance
27. Self-acting machines
28. Training and supervision of inexperienced workers
It is passed by Parliament on 17 Jan 2000.

7 New Sections 3 New Schedules

Section 24A Lock-out procedures
Section 27A Safety training courses
Section 47A Safe work procedures
Section 71A Safety co-ordinator
Section 71B Safety management system
Section 71C Safety inspections
Section 78A Singapore Standards and Codes of Practice
FACTORIES ACT SCHEDULES
First Schedule: Application for Factory Registration
Form A for factory occupier submission
of particulars
Form B for BOWEC occupier submission
of particulars
Second Schedule: Certificate of Registration of a Factory (Form A)
Provisional factory Permit of a Factory (Form B)
Third Schedule: Register of Lifting Gears, Lifting Appliances and
Lifting Machines
Fourth Schedule: Classes of Dangerous Occurrences
Fifth Schedule: Processes Requiring Provision of Suitable
Goggles or Effective Screens
FACTORIES ACT SCHEDULES
Sixth Schedule: Notifiable Industrial Diseases
Seventh Schedule: Occupations Involving Special Risks to Health
Eighth Schedule: Application for Examination and Test of a
Pressure Vessel
Ninth Schedule: Notice of Accident/Dangerous Occurence
Tenth Schedule: Notice of Patient Suffering from Industrial
Diseases (by registered medical practitioner)
Eleven Schedule: Notice of Patient Suffering from Industrial
Diseases (by occupier of factory)
FACTORIES ACT SCHEDULES

Twelfth Schedule: Work requiring implementation of

Safe Work Procedures

Thirteenth Schedule: Elements of Safety Management System

Fourteenth Schedule: Offences to which enhanced penalties apply

REGULATIONS ORDERS

NOTIFICATIONS
Rg 1 Factories (Abrasive Blasting) Regulations (S204/74)
Rg 2 Factories (Safety Committees) Regulations (S262/75)
Rg 3 Factories (Registration and Duties of Safety Officers)
Regulations (S263/75)
Rg 4 Factories (Asbestos) Regulations (S146/80)
Rg 5 The Factories (Registration and Other Services - Fees
and Forms) (Amendment) Regulation 2000 (S195/00)
Rg 6 Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations
(S33/85)
Rg 7 The Factories (Certificate of Competency - Examinations)
(Amendment) Regulations 1996 (S123/96)

Rg 8 The Factories (Building Operations and Works of Engineering

Construction)(Amendment) Regulations (S377/94)

Rg 9 Factories (Persons-in-Charge) Regulations (S327/86)

Rg 10 Factories (Operation of Cranes) Regulations (S445/98)

Rg 11 Factories (Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing) (Amendment)

Regulations (S588/99)
Rg 12 Factories (Explosive Powered Tools) Regulations
1994 (S396/94)

Rg 13 The Factories (First-Aid) Regulation 1995(S439/95)

Rg 14 Factories (Noise) Regulation 1996 (S372/96)

R1 The Factories (Application For Registration of Factories)

(Modification) Rules (S147/95)
To comply with the Factories Act
To provide and maintain a safe working environment
Formulate and publicize Safety Policy
Safety Commitment and Enforcement
To work safely and follow safety rules
Report unsafe conditions and practices
Make safety suggestions

Safety is a Condition for employment

THIRTEENTH SCHEDULE
Elements Of Safety Management System

1) Safety policy, including the allocation and delegation of

responsibility for safety.

2) Safe work practices.

3) Safety training.

4) Group meetings

5) Incident investigation and analysis.

6) In-house safety rules and regulations.

7) Safety promotion.
THIRTEENTH SCHEDULE
Elements Of Safety Management System

8) A system for the evaluation, selection and control of

contractors.

9) Safety inspections.

10) A maintenance regime.

11) Hazard analysis.

12) Control of movement and use of hazardous chemicals.

13) Occupational health programmes.

14) Emergency preparedness.

 FA Section 80
Duties of persons employed
1) No person employed in a factory or in any other place to
which any provisions of this Act apply shall wilfully
interfere with or misuse any means, appliance,
convenience or other thing provided in pursuance of this
Act for securing the health, safety or welfare of the
persons employed in the factory or place.

2) Where any means or appliance for securing health or safety

is provided for the use of any such person under this Act, he
shall use the means or appliance.
FA Section 81
Person employed not to cause danger
No person employed in a factory or in any other place to
which any provision of this Act apply shall wilfully and
without reasonable cause do anything likely to endanger
himself or others.
FA Section 89: Penalty for offences for which
no express penalty is provided
3) In relation to a contravention which results in a dangerous
occurrence or in serious bodily injury to any person, the
person guilty of an offence shall be liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding $35,000 or to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 12 months or to both.

4) In relation to a contravention which results in the death of

one person, the person guilty of an offence shall be liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to
both.
FA Section 89: Penalty for offences for which
no express penalty is provided
5) In relation to a contravention which results in the death of 2
or more persons, the person guilty of an offence shall be
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to
both.
Incident includes all Accidents ( that results in injury) +
Near Misses ( that does not involve injury to worker but
may incur property damage) + Dangerous Occurrences.
Reporting of Accident
1) Occupational Safety Department (using Ninth Schedule) for:
MC more than 3 days
Hospitalization for at least 24 hrs
Death
Dangerous Occurrence, such as fire and explosion
(defined in Fourth Schedule)
2) Work Injury Compensation Department (using Form A)
3) Insurance
All incidents must be investigated and analyzed to
ascertain the root cause and to initiate actions to prevent
future recurrences

Need to establish:
1. What happened? How did it happen? (Accident Description)
2. Why did it happen? (Probable Causes)
3. Concluding Remarks (Findings)
4. Recommendations (Corrective and Preventive Action, Control
measures to prevent recurrence)
 Types of Accidents
FALL TO CONTACT WITH
same level chemicals
lower level electricity
CAUGHT heat/cold
in radiation
on BODILY REACTION
between FROM
voluntary motion
involuntary motion
 Types of Accidents (continued)
STRUCK RUBBED OR
Against ABRADED BY
stationary or moving friction
object
pressure
protruding object
sharp or jagged edge vibration
By
moving or flying object
falling object
 Provide Care to the Injured
Ensure that medical care is provided to the
injured people before proceeding with the
investigation.
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION & ANALYSIS

Incident = Accidents (that results in injury) +

Dangerous Occurrences/ Near Misses
(that does not involve injury but
may incur property damage)

All incidents must be investigated and analyzed

to ascertain the root cause and to initiate actions
to prevent future recurrences.

32
 The Aim of the Investigation
The key result should be to prevent a
recurrence of the same accident.
Fact finding:
What happened?
What was the root cause?
What should be done to prevent recurrence?
CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

Substandard Conditions (unsafe place of work), Examples include:

Inadequate Guarding

Inadequate Personal Protective Equipment

Fire Hazards, Hazardous Environment

Noise/Radiation Exposures, Inadequate Ventilation

Defective Tools

Faulty Machinery

Inadequate Illumination

Faulty/Unsafe Electrical Installation

Poor Housekeeping
CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

Substandard Acts (Unsafe Acts), Examples include:

Unauthorized Operations (operating without authority, operating at unsafe speed)

Tampering Acts (tempering with equipment, tempering with machinery in motion,

making safety devices inoperative or unsafe)

Disregard Instructions (working under suspended load, unsafe loading, wrong method
of working or faulty operation)

Using Faulty Equipment (includes tools and materials)

Failure to use Personal Protective Equipment

Improper use of Protective Equipment

Improper Lifting or Carrying

Horseplay

Carelessness or recknessless
 FIND ROOT CAUSES

When you have determined

the contributing factors, dig
deeper!
If employee error, what caused
that behavior?
If defective machine, why
wasnt it fixed?
If poor lighting, why not
corrected?
If no training, why not?
 Causes of accidents
LACK OF BASIC IMMEDIATE INCIDENT LOSS
CONTROL CAUSES CAUSES
Inadequate Job Factor Sub- Contact People
System/ standard
Standards With Property
or Practices
or
Poor Personal or Energy or Process
Compliance
to System Factor Conditions Substance Environment

Who,What Lighting, Can be

When, Ventilation, identified
Where Physical by
limits inspection

ILCI LOSS CAUSATION MODEL

Objective

Ensure all works are carried out safely and the risks of injury

to works and property/equipment damage are eliminated or

minimised
Guidelines include:
1. Establishment and communication of SWP
2. Briefing and training on SWP for workers
3. Accessible SWP
4. Review of SWP
5. Job hazard analysis or risk assessment
6. Controlled potential energy sources by SWP
7. Lockout and start-up procedure
8. Permit-To-Work system for specialized work processes
9. Management of change procedure
 Twelfth Schedule -- Work requiring implementation of Safe
Work Procedures

1) Work on any machinery where the fencing has been removed

for the purposes of any examination, lubrication or other
operation referred to in section 23 (1).

2) Work at a place where a person is liable to fall a distance of

more than 3 metres or into any substance that is likely to
cause drowning, poisoning, chemical burns or asphyxiation.

3) Work in any confined space.

 Twelfth Schedule -- Work requiring implementation of Safe
Work Procedures

4) Work involving the application of heat, or the potential

generation of any source of ignition, where any explosive or
flammable substance is liable to be present.

5) Maintenance or repair work on any pressure vessel or lifting

equipment.

6) Work on any process, plant, vessel or machinery that is liable

to produce or give off any corrosive, toxic or flammable
substance.
 Twelfth Schedule -- Work requiring implementation of Safe
Work Procedures

7) Work in compressed air environment or under water.

8) Pressurised testing of any pressure vessels and pipes

9) Spray painting

10) Dismantling of any pipe or equipment that contains steam or

substances that are flammable, toxic or corrosive
11) Any repair or maintenance work carried out on a pressurized
hydraulic system
 Twelfth Schedule -- Work requiring implementation of Safe
Work Procedures

12) Radiography work

Note:
Factory occupiers are advised to establish and implement safe
work procedures for these types of work. They are also required
to inform all relevant personnel involved in the work to observe
and comply with the safe work procedures. A written
description of the safe work procedures should be kept and
produced to the Ministry's safety inspector for inspection
when requested
(1) No work specified in the Twelfth Schedule shall
commence in any factory unless
a) The hazards to which persons at the workplace could be
exposed as a result of such work have been identified;

b) The injury or harm that could arise from the hazards referred
to in paragraph (a) have been identified;
c) safe work procedures are implemented; and
d) steps are taken to ensue that all persons involved in such work
are familiar with the safe work procedures.
2) The safe work procedures referred to in subsection
shall include
a) the provision of personal protective equipment; and

b) the safety precautions to be taken in the course of work and

during an emergency.
(3) Appropriate measures shall be taken in a factory
a) To reduce and, where possible, eliminate the hazards
identified under subsection (1); and

b) To inform all persons working at the workplace of the means

to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the hazards identified
under subsection (1).
 4) A written description of the safe work procedures
referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept by the
occupier of the factory or the employer, as the case
may be, and be produced to the inspector for
inspection when required.

(5) Every person in the factory shall observe and comply

with the safe work procedures referred to in subsection
(1).
Factories Act Section 24A

1. Lock-out procedures shall be established and implemented

for the inspection, cleaning, repair or maintenance of any
plant, machinery or equipment that, if inadvertently
activated or energised, is liable to cause bodily injury to any
person.

2. Every person carrying out any work described in subsection

(1) shall be fully instructed on the lock-out procedures for
that work before commencing that work.
3. For the purposes of this section, lock-out procedures
means a set of procedures

a) to ensure that all energy sources to the relevant

plant, machinery or equipment will be isolated,
disconnected or discharged; and
b) to prevent any part of the plant, machinery or
equipment from being inadvertently activated or
energised.
 Objective
The objective of hazard analysis is to establish
systematic procedures for identification, evaluation
and control of hazards in the workplace, in
compliance with Factories Act Section 47A (1) (a)

Process
The breaking down of the tasks into its component
parts to determine the hazards connected with each
key step and the requirements for performing it
safely
 Procedures

Identifying task to conduct Hazard Analysis

Identifying hazards
Risk Analysis (give severity, frequency & probability
ratings)
Risk Evaluation
Implement Control Measures &
spell out Safe Work Practices
 Assessment Guidelines.
Conduct a walk through to survey the areas in
question. The purpose of the survey (or field
observation) is to identify sources of hazards to
workers and co workers.
 Identify Hazards &
Potential Accidents
Search for Hazards
Produced by Work
Produced by Environment
Repeat job observation as many times as
necessary to identify all hazards
 1 Apr 02 John & Jonathan Factory 1 23
Removal of conveyor blockages To be advise

-----------
-----------
-----------
Remove objects that cause In contact with 1 2 2 5 L Provide yardstick to
the jam sharp edges assist in removal of
jammed objects
-----------
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Control measures & Safe Work Practices

Risk assessed

Control measures taken

Formulate Safe Work Procedures

Communicate & enforcement

CHEMICAL SAFETY

1.1 Health Hazards

Chemicals can cause burns, skin irritation, affect the eye and visual capacity,
liver damage, lung disease, kidney disease, nervous system damage and cancer

1.2 Routes of Entry

The route of entry include:

Inhalation (breathing chemicals into the lungs)

Absorption (contact with the eye or through the skin)

Ingestion (swallowing either from eating or drinking from contaminated

utensils or dirty hands)

Injection (needle, sharp edges or broken bottles)

CHEMICAL SAFETY

1.3 MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are information sheets about

the chemical substances provided by chemical manufacturers or
suppliers. It contains information on the identity and properties of
the chemical ingredients, their toxic and health effects, fire and
explosion hazards, safety precautions and emergency procedures.

Employees should know where the MSDS for every hazardous

chemicals in their work area is kept, be familiar with the most
important points for each hazardous material used, and follow the
safety practices stated in the MSDS.
Factories Act Section 60 on Toxic Substances
1) Toxic substances in a factory shall be placed under the control of a
competent person who has adequate knowledge of the properties of the
toxic substances and their dangers.
2) Warning notices in languages understood by the persons employed in
the factory specifying the nature of the danger of the toxic substances
shall be placed at all entrances to any workroom and at appropriate
locations where the toxic substances are used or present.

3) Persons employed in a factory who are liable to be exposed to toxic

substances shall be warned of the hazards involved and of the
precautionary measures to be taken.
4) Labels easily understood by persons employed in the factory shall be
affixed to containers of toxic substances to warn them of the hazards
involved and the precautionary measures to be taken.
Factories Act Section 60A on Material Safety Data Sheet

1) Where any toxic, corrosive or inflammable substance is used, handled

or stored in a factory, the occupier shall:

a) obtain a material safety data sheet of the substance;

b) assess the information in the material safety data sheet and take
precautionary measures to ensure the safe use of the substance; and
b) make available the material safety data sheet to all persons employed
in the factory who are liable to be exposed to the substance.
Factories Act Section 60A on Material Safety Data Sheet

2) Any person who sells, or any agent of the seller who causes or
procures to be sold, for use in a factory any toxic, corrosive or
inflammable substance shall provide a material safety data sheet for
the substance, giving an accurate and adequate description of the
identity, physical and chemical properties of the substance, safety and
health hazard information, precautions to be taken and safe handling
information.

3) Any such person who fails to provide such a material safety data sheet
or who provides inaccurate, inadequate or misleading information in a
material safety data sheet shall be guilty of an offence and shall be
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

1. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ON PPE

The Factories Act Section 62 on Protective Clothing and Appliances

The Factories Act Section 63 on Protection of Eyes in certain processes.

(specified in the Fifth Schedule and electric arc welding).

2 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

The following types of personal protective equipment must be provided free to workers
who are exposed to the hazard as indicated:

(a) approved head protection - hazard of being struck by falling objects;

(b) head coverings - hazard arising from hair entanglement with moving parts of
machinery;

(c) hand protection (gloves, etc) - hazard of cuts or burns to hands;

(d) foot protection - hazard of foot injury from hot, corrosive substances or falling
objects;

(e) hearing protectors - hazard of excessive noise;

(f) respirators - hazard of toxic or offensive substances;

(g) suitable goggles or effective screens - hazard of eye injuries (Fifth Schedule of
the Factories Act)
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
Occupations Involving Special Risks To Health

1) Any occupation involving the use or handling of or

exposure to excessive noise, fumes, dust, or vapour of
silica, asbestos, raw cotton, toxic metal, pesticides, nitrous
fumes, vinyl chloride monomer and organic solvents.

2) Any occupation involving the use or handling of or exposure

to tar, pitch, bitumen, creosotes, mineral oil (including
paraffin), chromium and its compounds

3) Any occupation or processes carried on in compressed air.

 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Factories Act Regulations

Any registered medical
practitioner and factory
occupier who encounters a
person suffering from any of
the occupational disease as
listed in the Factories Act is
required to notify the Chief
Inspector of Factories of
Ministry of Manpower.
 Notifiable Occupational Diseases
1. Aniline Poisoning 17. Industrial Dermatitis
2. Anthrax 18. Lead Poisoning
3. Arsenical Poisoning 19. Liver Angiosarcoma
4. Asbestosis 20. Manganese Poisoning
5. Barotrauma 21. Mercurial Poisoning
6. Beryllium Poisoning 22. Mesothelioma
7. Byssinosis 23. Noise Induced Deafness
8. Cadmium Poisoning 24. Occupational Asthma
9. Carbamate Poisoning 25. Organophosphate Poisoning
10. Carbon Bisulphide Poisoning 26. Phosphorus Poisoning
11. Chrome Ulceration 27. Poisoning from Halogen
12. Chronic Benzene Poisoning Derivatives of Hydrocarbons
13. Compressed Air Illness 28. Repetitive Strain Disorder of
14. Cyanide Poisoning the Upper Limb
15. Epitheliomatous Ulceration 29. Silicosis
16. Hydrogen Sulphide Poisoning 30. Toxic Anaemia
31. Toxic Hepatitis
Notification of
Occupational
Diseases to
By Employer using
Occupational
Eleventh Schedule
Health Department,
MOM
By Medical
Practitioner using
Tenth Schedule
WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL DERMATITIS (ID) ?

Industrial contact dermatitis is a local inflammation

of the skin.

Symptoms of inflammation are :-

Itching
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Formation of small blisters or wheals (itchy, red
circles with a white centre) on the skin

The inflammation is caused by an allergy or irritation

as a result of substances in the workplace that come
into direct contact with the skin.
 WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL DERMATITIS (ID) ?
Dermatitis affects about one in
every five people at some time in
their lives. It results from different
causes and has various patterns.
Dermatitis can be "acute" or
"chronic" or both.

Acute dermatitis refers to a rapidly

evolving red rash which may be
blistered and swollen.

Chronic dermatitis refers to a

longstanding irritable area. It is
often darker than the surrounding
skin, thickened and much
scratched.
WILL I GET INDUSTRIAL DERMATITIS ?
You may have risks if these factors exists:
Contact with irritants
Irritants include water, detergents, solvents,
harsh chemicals, friction.
Contact with allergens
Allergens are substances to which one has
become allergic eg. nickel, perfume, rubber.
Inherited factors
Family history of dermatitis, allergy
Dry skin
Injury to the skin
Infection
Psychological stresses
Unknown factors
CAN I PREVENT INDUSTRIAL DERMATITIS?

Industrial Dermatitis can be avoided by :

Personal Hygiene
Hand washing is very important, but
excessive hand washing with soap and
detergents can also damage the skin.
Engineering Controls
Enclosure of processes to separate workers from the
harmful substances. Local exhaust systems to prevent
toxic substances from escaping into workroom.
Substitution of hazardous substances by less hazardous
substances.
 CAN I PREVENT
INDUSTRIAL
DERMATITIS?
Good housekeeping
Proper storage of substances,
Industrial Dermatitis frequent disposal of waste,
can be avoided by : prompt removal of spills, and
maintenance of the equipment
to keep it free of dust, dirt and
drippings.
Protective Clothing
Aprons and gloves should be properly selected. Barrier
creams are used as substitutes for protective clothing.
Washrooms, toilets, and showers to be conveniently
located and supplied with adequate hot water,
disposable towels and soap.
 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations

The examinations are

specific to the type of
hazards involved.

The employer must arrange

and pay for these
examinations which must be
carried out by a designated
factory doctor registered
with the Ministry of
Manpower.
 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Factories (Medical Examinations) Regulations

Employees are required to undergo pre-

employment and periodic medical examinations if
their work involve exposure to :-

Arsenic, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, raw cotton,

lead, manganese, mercury, organophosphate,
perchloroethylene, silica, tar, pitch, bitumen,
creosote, trichloroethylene, and their compounds;
vinyl chloride monomer; work in compressed air
and excessive noise environment.