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News release

28 April 2011 - NR 19/11

Launch of health and safety branch in Singapore marks International Workers’ Memorial Day

The world’s largest organisation for occupational health and safety professionals marked International Workers’ Memorial Day today (28 April) by launching a branch in Singapore.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has created a branch in Singapore to serve its growing number of members in the Asia-Pacific region and to support the area’s occupational health and safety sector.

IOSH President Steve Granger officially opened the new branch at the Spring Singapore Auditorium, where local health and safety professional Harry Ho was inaugurated as Chair and the branch committee members announced.

Harry Ho said: “At last, all of our hard work to establish an IOSH branch in Singapore has paid off.

“For Singapore it is the right time for a reputable internationally-recognised OSH (occupational safety and health) organisation, like IOSH, to establish itself. There are already more than 80 members of IOSH here in Singapore and now that the branch has launched we expect may more local health and safety professionals to join rank.

“I hope that the creation of the branch will provide the opportunity for more interaction and learning between local and overseas OSH professionals. We are looking forward to working with local OSH bodies, businesses and the general public to help raise the standard of Singapore’s OSH record.”

Following the official launch of the branch are a series of seminars which will take place today and tomorrow. The seminars have been designed to share best practice techniques amongst health and safety professionals in Singapore, Hong King, Europe and the Middle East.

Mr Granger said: “International Workers’ Memorial Day is about remembering those who have died or been injured in the workplace.

“The last statistics show that one worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide. By launching the sixth international branch of IOSH here in Singapore today we are another step closer to reducing fatalities and accidents in the workplace - creating a world of work that is safe, healthy and sustainable.

“To become a member of the health and safety community in Singapore is an honour and a privilege. And we hope we can do our bit to help protect people working in this wonderful part of the world.”

As a charity, IOSH offers its knowledge and expertise in occupational safety and health to those who need it around the world, including governments, other professional bodies, businesses and the general public.

Attendees at the launch of the Singapore branch not only included IOSH members and occupational health and safety professionals but officials from the Ministry of Manpower and Workplace Health and Safety Council.

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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.