Singapore safety initiative secures global award from IChemE

IChemE, an international professional body for chemical engineers with over 44,000 members in 120 countries, has congratulated Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for their work in implementing new safety and health regulations for major hazard installations.

The government departments from the city-state, located in the heart of South East Asia, became the first Singapore entry in history to win an IChemE Global Award.  The award was announced in Birmingham, UK in November while the certificates were presented at a local ceremony at the start of December.

The first IChemE Awards – originally called the Excellence in Safety and Environment Awards – were held on 23 March 1994 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, UK. The IChemE Singapore Awards were established in 2012, followed by the IChemE Malaysia Awards in 2013. The IChemE Awards were re-named the IChemE Global Awards in 2013 in response to growing international interest.

MOM/NEA/SCDF came out winners in the Process Safety Category for their successful roll out of a safety case approach to major hazard installations.

In a further development, chemical engineers in Singapore are also celebrating the success of A*Star’s, Dr Ong Wee Jun, who was highly commended Young Researcher Category.

IChemE’s Singapore Board Chair, Joe Eades, said:

“We started a local awards scheme here in Singapore back in 2012.  Interest in the programme has grown significantly over the last six years. Now it’s great to see a Singapore entry reach the top of the pile and receive international recognition for their work in process safety – a key issue, given the importance of the chemical industry to the local economy. At the same time, we also saw one of our leading young researchers recognised on a world stage.  Clear proof of Singapore’s position as a world-leading research hub.”

Er Go Heng Huat, Director of Singapore’s Major Hazards Department, Ministry of Manpower, said: “We are honoured to receive this award today from the IChemE who have been very supportive of our initiatives over the years.”