About Kenneth Seah Wei Zhong
I am a seasoned safety professional with 15 years of experience in the industry. My expertise spans across various sectors, including crane and logistics services, subcontracting, and main contracting for projects with prestigious organisations such as CAG, HDB, and LTA. Nominated by my safety peers for the WSH Asia 2024 award, I am dedicated to advancing safety standards and fostering a culture of excellence within the safety fraternity.
List the Safety and Health achievements/contributions you have achieved in 2023.
As an executive committee member of the Singapore Institution Of Safety Officers (SISO), I played a key role in social media and networking activities, as well as co-organising the WSHO conference in both 2022 and 2023.
Additionally, I volunteered to be a member of the National Crane Safety task force, where I provided valuable feedback and expertise on lifting issues. I have also actively participated in the Working Group for WSH Guideline for Lifting Plan Development, aiming to enhance existing guidelines and bring added value to the industry.
Furthermore, I have been involved in various working groups focused on revising Singapore standards, leveraging my experience to contribute to the improvement of safety practices in the industry. I look forward to continuing to make meaningful contributions in the field of Safety and Health.
Outline the Workplace Safety and Health initiatives that have been implemented by you in your workplace in 2023.
In 2023, our workplace safety and health initiatives were significantly enhanced through the integration of technology. We implemented QR codes for risk assessment and safe work procedures, streamlining the process and ensuring that supervisors have access to the latest document revisions via a centralised cloud system. This not only improved efficiency and saved time but also reduced our environmental footprint by minimising the need for printing.
As the WSH Manager, I worked closely with our clients to incentivise workers to actively report any safety concerns, particularly focusing on issues related to working at heights. By rewarding workers for reporting hazards, we successfully addressed fall from height issues and implemented a 3-month program on a project scale to further promote safety awareness. Additionally, we introduced a points-based system for workers to compete for top contributor awards, fostering a culture of safety and recognition within the workforce.
Furthermore, we collaborated with Wong Fong Academy to address mental well-being issues, offering training on topics such as coaching, leadership, anger management, and burnout to support the overall health and well-being of our employees.
Describe and support in detail on how your influencing capability has assisted in the successful implementation of these initiatives.
My influencing capability has played a crucial role in the successful implementation of these workplace safety and health initiatives. By actively listening to feedback and ideas from all stakeholders involved, I have fostered an environment of open communication and collaboration. Rather than dismissing ideas outright, I have encouraged team members to develop their thoughts and contribute to the brainstorming process, building mutual trust and engagement. Understanding the concerns and restrictions of each individual has allowed us to proactively address potential issues before they escalate, leading to a more effective and efficient implementation process.
During the 3-month program, the collective effort of worker representatives, supervisors, WSH coordinators, management staff, and clients in providing feedback and data analysis has ensured that our initiatives are logical and well-informed.
By following the PACE model (Plan – Analyse – Construct - Execute) and maintaining constant communication and promotion, we have successfully implemented these initiatives, creating a culture of safety and well-being in the workplace.
Describe and provide support on how your initiative impacted the Safety and Health management and performance of your workplace/community/industry that was above and beyond.
The impact of our safety and health initiative has been profound, surpassing expectations in enhancing the management and performance of our workplace. Through the implementation of the 3-month program, we effectively tracked and addressed various types of hazards, categorising them into specific areas such as lifting, working at height, excavation, confined space, hot work, and more. By segmenting the program for different levels of management, supervision, workers, and HSE personnel, we successfully benchmarked their commitment and utilisation, motivating stakeholders to actively participate in the initiative. This proactive approach resulted in the prompt closure of identified hazards, leading to their immediate elimination.
Through weekly consolidation and data analytics, we identified key focus areas and effectively reduced hazards over time. The trend analysis showed a significant drop in hazards towards the end of the program, demonstrating the tangible impact of our initiative on improving safety and health management within our workplace.
In your opinion, what are the attributes of a safety influencer? Do share with us on how you have demonstrated these attributes in your daily work that will earn you the recognition of a WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award Winner in your workplace/community/industry.
In my opinion, the attributes of a safety influencer include effective communication, empathy, and a proactive approach to addressing safety issues. In my daily work, I have demonstrated these attributes by prioritising communication with stakeholders to understand the root causes of safety violations and engaging in constructive dialogue to correct behaviours. Rather than resorting to punitive measures, I focus on educating and guiding individuals towards a safety-conscious mindset, thereby fostering a culture of safety within the workplace.
By approaching safety incidents with empathy and respect, I aim to prevent future violations and promote a safer working environment for all. This proactive and collaborative approach has not only helped in addressing safety concerns effectively but has also contributed to building a strong safety culture within the organisation, making me a potential candidate for the WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award in my workplace and industry.