Launch of the Code of Practice on Chief Executives’ and Board of Directors’ Workplace Safety and Health Duties

The Code of Practice on Chief Executives’ and Board of Directors’ Workplace Safety and Health Duties (“COP“) was launched on 19 September 2022, and is expected to be gazetted as an Approved COP by October 2022. Once gazetted, the COP will be relevant in the event of offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 (“WSH Act“), as the Courts can consider compliance to the COP in determining the liability of the organisation and its management team.

The COP sets out the principles that Company Directors should observe in improving WSH performance and management, as well as the practical measures that should be taken. It should be noted that WSH includes both physical health and mental well-being, and organisations should ensure that both aspects are addressed in their WSH policies. In this Update, we highlight the key principles and measures in the COP, and the effect of the COP being gazetted.