The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 2 No. 37 - Online Notifications and E-Services Platforms

REPORTING OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES IN SINGAPORE

Kenneth Choy,
Alvian Tan Xingyong,
Lee Chin Soon
Ong Peh Woon
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 2 No 37 - Online Notifications and E-Services Platforms
25 - 31
1 April 2011
0377-5305
Doctors play a critical role in the early recognition and reporting of occupational diseases. Singapore, like most countries, imposes a statutory requirement for the mandatory reporting of occupational diseases where the responsibility for notification to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rests with the employer and the physician who makes the diagnosis of an occupational disease. The list of 31 reportable occupational diseases is prescribed in the Workplace Safety and Health Act. A robust reporting system enables Singapore to identify and monitor persons at high risk so as to prevent occupational diseases. Timely reporting will also facilitate the compensation of workers with occupational diseases under the work Injury Compensation Act.