Singapore Government Press Release
Speech by Mr Lim Swee Say, Acting Minister for the Environment at The Launch of the Seminar on Responsible Care Jointly Organised by NTUC, CIEU, UWPI, SSEU, EMSEU, SRCEU, UPAGE and SCI at 2pm on 24 July 2001 at Mandarin Hotel
I thank you for having me here today at the opening of this Seminar on Responsible Care jointly organised by the NTUC, various unions and SCI.
Economic development is not just about creating wealth for the shareholders and achieving growth for businesses. More importantly, it is also about improving the standard of living of the workers and enhancing the quality of life of the people. This is why we place tremendous emphasis on safeguarding the health and safety of workers at the workplace, and protecting the environment from potential hazards as we develop key industries in Singapore.
Regulations and enforcement by the Government alone will not be sufficient. To maintain a safe workplace and sustain a clean environment in our industry, we need to count on the joint efforts of the workers, unions, management and government agencies. I am therefore very happy to see NTUC, CIEU, UWPI, SSEU, EMSEU, SRCEU, UPAGE and SCI coming together to stage this seminar to help spread the message of good practices in chemical management.
Chemical industry is a key sector of the Singapore industry. Last year, it produced a record S$31.7 billion in output, about 20% of our national manufacturing outputs. With the development of Jurong Island as a worldclass chemical hub, we can expect to see chemical industry contributing significantly to the growth of our manufacturing sector in the years ahead, along side with electronics, precision engineering and life sciences.
Chemicals are used and handled in not only the chemical industry. Chemicals are also widely used in the electronic, engineering and pharmaceutical industries. Today, there are over 2,000 companies in Singapore that handle or use hazardous chemicals. We have to put in place procedures and systems to ensure that chemicals are handled properly so as not to compromise human health, endanger lives, damage properties and pollute the environment.
At the planning stage of an industrial project, the Ministry of the Environment would work closely with the company and government authorities (e.g. MOM and SCDF) to minimise any potential threats of hazards and pollution arising from the handling and use of hazardous chemicals. Pollution control and safety measures will have to be incorporated in the design of every new factory.
Once a new factory goes into operation, ENV works closely with the company and government agencies in the proper implementation of these controls and measures. As our industries grow in complexities and scale, we recognise that it is not productive and sustainable to rely on government agencies to try to regulate and inspect each and every process in the industry. Over time, we have to move towards a chemical management system that involves more self- regulation by workers, unions and the management.
In 1996, ENV introduced the Safety Audit Scheme. I am glad that it has since been well received by the industry. It is a more effective approach for companies that handle large quantity of hazardous chemicals to review and improve their chemical management system and practice annually in a systematic manner. ENV also works closely with the Singapore Chemical Industrial Council (SCIC) through regular dialogues, joint workshops and training courses to promote safe management of chemicals in the chemical industry.
The chemical industry has also been playing a pro-active role. "Responsible Care" is an initiative of the global chemical industry for the protection of health, safety and the environment. It has been widely adopted by chemical industries in Europe, Canada and the USA. This initiative is in line with our approach of encouraging and facilitating greater self-regulation by the industry. I am encouraged by SCIC’s proactive role in promoting and spreading the Responsible Care message, to help reduce injuries and losses due to accidents for the benefits of all.
Singapore is a city state. It is densely populated and highly urbanised. Over the years, the tripartite partners have worked together to ensure that urbanisation and industralisation had not led to environmental pollution. We have done well up till now. Our challenge is to sustain our clean and green environment for many generations to come as we continue to pursue economic progress.
Our 3P Partnership involving the private, public and people sectors is a critical success factor in strengthening environmental sustainability. At the national level, we are now formulating the 2nd Singapore Green Plan for the next 10 years. The process will involve the participation of the 3 P sectors, including industry leaders and union leaders.
At the sectoral level, programmes such as Responsible Care deserve the full support of all stakeholders – workers, unions and the management. I am heartened to see that members of our workers’ unions are fully aware and highly supportive of the Responsible Care Initiative. I wish you all the best in your effort to sustain a safe and environmental friendly workplace. Working together, we can all live a better life. Thank you.