The aspiration of Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) in setting a high standard of workplace safety and health has taken a major step following the launch of the Code of Practice for Safety and Health Management System as well as the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Auditor Registration.
The milestone event was officially launched on Tuesday at the Design and Technology Building in Angerrek Desa in the presence of Permanent Secretary (Safety and Welfare) at the Ministry of Home Affairs Awang Salminan bin Haji Burut as the guest of honour.
SHENA Chief Executive Officer Haji Muhsin bin Haji Ahmad in his welcoming speech said, “A safe and resilient workforce is undoubtedly one of the pillars of Brunei Darussalam’s progress.”
He continued, “However, this can be easily compromised if the safety of workplaces is left unchecked and exposed to hazards and risks.”
“Therefore, to ensure this, we must prioritise workplace safety and health – and one crucial step is to ensure that we have competent and qualified professionals who can assess, identify, and mitigate risks.”
“This is where the role of workplace safety and health auditors becomes paramount.”
He said, “In recognition of the critical role of these professionals, SHENA has taken the initiative to introduce the registration of workplace safety and health auditors.
The CEO also shared that the Code of Practice on Workplace Safety and Health Management System aims to be a point of reference for organisations to comply with legal requirements as well as promote a culture of WSH within organisations.
During the event, SHENA highlighted the function of the COP, which acts as a guidance and reference for the management of the safety and health management system using a systematic approach in identifying, assessing and controlling the danger in preventing any accidents of occupational diseases at the workplace.
This comprehensive guide highlights the 14 essential elements of adequate safety and health management systems, as outlined under Schedule 2 of the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations and the importance of commitment at the management level through its respective workplace safety and health policy.
The Code of Practice was distributed to the relevant private sector organisations and is also made available on the SHENA website, which not only acts as a reference for WSH Auditors but as a practical tool for organisations aiming to achieve sustained improvements in workplace safety performance.
In conjunction with the COP launch, the event also announces the commencement of the registration of WSH Auditors, which represents an important initiative by SHENA to strengthen compliance and enhance safety and health standards across industries, particularly high-risk operations.
WSH Auditors will play a crucial role in assessing and auditing workplace safety and health management systems, ensuring they meet regulatory requirements and contribute to creating safer working environments. – Fadhil Yunus
