Company Directors’ Duties on Workplace Safety and Health

On 12 August 2022, the Workplace Safety and Health Council issued a Public Consultation on the proposed Code of Practice (“Code“) on Chief Executives’ and Board of Directors’ Workplace Safety and Health (“WSH“) Duties. The proposed Code aims to provide greater clarity and strengthen ownership of the WSH duties of Chief Executives and Board of Directors (collectively known as “Company Directors“). The Code sets out the principles that Company Directors should observe in improving WSH performance and management, as well as the practical measures that can be taken to give effect to these principles.

The Public Consultation closes on 8 September 2022. Company Directors and organisations would be well advised to closely review the provisions in the Code to determine whether and how to respond to the Public Consultation. In this Update, we take a look at some of the issues arising from the proposed Code, as well as its key principles and measures.