Statute Details
- Title: Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017
- Full Title: Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017
- Act Code: WSHA2006-S202-2017
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (sl)
- Commencement Date: 1 September 2017
- Parts: Part 1: PRELIMINARY, Part 2: KEEPING, MAINTENANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY CASE, Part 3: REGISTRATION OF PREMISES AS MAJOR HAZARD INSTALLATION, Part 4: DUTIES OF OCCUPIER OF REGISTERED MAJOR HAZARD INSTALLATION, Part 5: MISCELLANEOUS
- Key Sections: Section 2: Definitions
- Related Legislation: Workplace Safety and Health Act
What Is This Legislation About?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 are a set of regulations made under the Workplace Safety and Health Act of Singapore. They establish a regulatory framework for the management of major hazard installations - premises that handle, store, or process large quantities of dangerous substances that could pose a significant risk of a major accident.
The key objectives of this legislation are to: 1) Require the occupiers of major hazard installations to develop and maintain a comprehensive "safety case" documenting their major accident hazards and the measures in place to prevent and mitigate such accidents. 2) Mandate the registration of major hazard installations with the authorities and impose duties on occupiers to notify incidents, provide information, and comply with safety requirements. 3) Empower the authorities to direct certain premises to be registered as major hazard installations if they pose significant major accident risks.
What Are the Key Provisions?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 are divided into 5 main parts:
Part 1 - Preliminary This part contains key definitions, including what constitutes a "major hazard installation", "major accident", "major accident hazard", and other important terms used throughout the regulations.
Part 2 - Keeping, Maintenance and Implementation of Safety Case This part requires the occupier of a major hazard installation to: - Reduce the risk of major accidents to as low as reasonably practicable (Section 4) - Develop, keep, and maintain a comprehensive "safety case" documenting the major accident hazards and control measures (Sections 5-6) - Implement the safety case and ensure its effectiveness
Part 3 - Registration of Premises as Major Hazard Installation This part establishes the registration regime for major hazard installations. Key requirements include: - Occupiers must apply to register their premises as a major hazard installation (Section 8) - The authorities will register qualifying premises and issue a certificate of registration (Section 9) - Registered major hazard installations must renew their registration periodically (Section 10) - The authorities can require certain premises to be registered as major hazard installations (Section 11) - Occupiers must notify the authorities of changes to their registered major hazard installation (Section 12) - The authorities can revoke, suspend or cancel a registration in certain circumstances (Section 14)
Part 4 - Duties of Occupier of Registered Major Hazard Installation This part imposes various duties on the occupiers of registered major hazard installations, including: - Reviewing, revising, and submitting their safety case periodically (Section 17) - Notifying and reporting incidents, including "near misses" (Sections 19-21) - Keeping records related to safety and incidents (Section 20) - Providing safety information to occupiers of other registered major hazard installations and other workplaces (Sections 22-23)
Part 5 - Miscellaneous This part covers offences for non-compliance with the regulations (Section 24) and saving/transitional provisions (Section 25).
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 are structured into 5 main parts, as outlined above. It also includes several schedules that provide additional details, such as: - First Schedule: List of "dangerous substances" covered by the regulations - Second Schedule: Description of premises considered "major hazard installations" - Third Schedule: Requirements for the contents of the "safety case" - Fourth Schedule: Fees related to registration of major hazard installations - Fifth Schedule: Information to be provided by occupiers of major hazard installations - Sixth Schedule: Mapping of current offences to corresponding previous offences
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 apply to any premises that meet the definition of a "major hazard installation" as set out in the Second Schedule. This includes factories and other facilities that handle, store, or process large quantities of dangerous substances that could pose a significant risk of a major accident.
The regulations place specific duties and obligations on the "occupiers" of these major hazard installations. An "occupier" is defined as the person who has the management and control of the major hazard installation.
In addition, the regulations empower the authorities to direct certain premises to be registered as major hazard installations even if they do not strictly meet the criteria in the Second Schedule, if the authorities determine they pose significant major accident risks.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 are an important piece of legislation that helps enhance the safety and risk management of facilities handling large quantities of dangerous substances in Singapore. By mandating the development and implementation of comprehensive safety cases, the regulations aim to drive a proactive, systematic approach to major accident prevention and mitigation.
The registration and notification requirements also provide the authorities with greater visibility and oversight over major hazard installations, allowing them to monitor safety performance, intervene where necessary, and ensure appropriate emergency preparedness. Importantly, the regulations empower the authorities to direct certain high-risk premises to be registered and comply with the safety case requirements, even if they do not strictly meet the definition of a major hazard installation.
Failure to comply with the regulations can result in significant penalties. Occupiers who breach their duties can face fines of up to $200,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years. The regulations therefore provide a strong legal and regulatory framework to drive enhanced safety practices and prevent major industrial accidents in Singapore.
Related Legislation
- Workplace Safety and Health Act
- Fire Safety (Petroleum and Flammable Materials) Regulations
- Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulations
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Workplace Safety and Health (Major Hazard Installations) Regulations 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.