bizSAFE Vs ISO 45001 Which Safety Standard Suits You Best
Maintaining workplace safety and health is a regulatory obligation and a moral and operational necessity of every business. Every employee deserves a work environment that prioritises their safety, and employers are legally and ethically bound to provide it. Without clear and structured safety protocols in place, organisations risk an increase in accidents, which can lead to severe consequences such as injuries, fatalities, property loss, legal liabilities, and productivity setbacks. Beyond these immediate outcomes, poor safety practices can significantly damage a company’s reputation and strain employee morale. To mitigate these risks, many organisations in Singapore adopt recognised safety certifications that provide standardised approaches for managing occupational health and safety. In Singapore, two prominent frameworks play a big role in helping the nation set new safety records and rank among the few countries with the lowest workplace injury rates in the world: bizSAFE and ISO 45001. Below, we explore both systems, their structures, and how to determine which might best fit your business. What is bizSAFE certification? bizSAFE is a nationally recognised capability-building programme developed by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council in Singapore. Designed to help organisations manage safety risks more effectively, the programme aims to foster a robust workplace safety culture at every level of the organisation. Regardless of size or industry, any company can pursue bizSAFE certification to show its commitment to occupational safety and health (WSH). The bizSAFE programme is structured as a progressive five-level journey. Each level builds on the previous one, guiding companies from basic awareness to a high standard of safety excellence validated by external audits. Here’s a closer look at each level: This entry-level step involves attending a workshop that introduces participants to WSH principles. Business leaders are educated on their legal responsibilities and the importance of cultivating a safety mindset. Completion of this course is mandatory to move forward in the programme. At this stage, participants are trained to identify potential workplace hazards and assess associated risks. They learn to formulate and implement practical risk control measures. The establishment of a safety committee is also encouraged to oversee and drive these initiatives within the company. This level requires organisations to design and implement a comprehensive SMS. Key elements include incident reporting, emergency response protocols, continuous monitoring, and periodic safety performance reviews. Organisations are urged to embed safety into their daily operations. This includes offering regular employee training, encouraging open discussions on safety issues, and introducing KPIs to monitor progress. Beyond compliance, this level is about instilling safety culture into the organisational DNA. bizSAFE STAR: Achieving excellence This is the pinnacle of the programme, awarded to companies that have demonstrated sustained excellence in WSH. To attain STAR status, businesses must undergo an external audit, maintain continuous improvement practices, and innovate within their safety frameworks. Certification at this level often makes a company more attractive to clients and government tenders. Advantages of becoming bizSAFE certified Choosing to get bizSAFE certified can provide your business with tangible and strategic benefits: The step-by-step nature of bizSAFE ensures a gradual yet effective improvement in workplace safety practices, significantly reducing the risk of injuries and accidents. Many large clients, including government-linked corporations and MNCs, require bizSAFE certification before engaging vendors or contractors. Being certified could open doors to new opportunities and partnerships. bizSAFE helps your business align with the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties and project delays. Demonstrating a proactive approach to WSH helps build trust among stakeholders, including employees, customers, and business partners. It can also raise internal morale and productivity by showing that management values worker welfare. Additionally, many businesses choose to complement bizSAFE training with industry-specific courses. For instance, enrolling employees in a safe lifting course not only helps with compliance but also equips workers with essential knowledge to safely handle manual or mechanical lifting tasks on-site, which is especially useful in construction or logistics-heavy sectors. What is ISO 45001? ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it aims to enable organisations worldwide to proactively improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and create healthier working conditions. Singapore adopted ISO 45001 as a national standard (SS ISO 45001) in June 2018, replacing earlier frameworks such as OHSAS 18001 and SS 506 Part 1. This move reflects the government’s push towards aligning local safety practices with global benchmarks, particularly for industries with higher risks, such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and construction. Crucially, ISO 45001 is recognised by Singapore’s WSH Council as a qualifying credential for direct entry into bizSAFE STAR, the highest level in the bizSAFE hierarchy. Thus, companies seeking international credibility while staying aligned with local regulations often pursue this certification. Core features and benefits of ISO 45001 ISO 45001 stands out for its structured, integrative, and people-centric approach. Below are some of the standard’s key features and their advantages: 1. Seamless integration with existing ISO systems ISO 45001 adopts the High-Level Structure (HLS), the same framework used in ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management). This consistency makes it easier for organisations with existing ISO certifications to integrate occupational safety into their management systems. 2. Leadership-driven implementation The standard puts strong emphasis on top management accountability. Leaders are expected to be actively involved in the creation, communication, and evaluation of safety policies. This ensures safety becomes a core organisational priority, not just an administrative task. 3. Empowered employee participation Beyond leadership, ISO 45001 encourages a bottom-up approach to safety. Workers are encouraged to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in safety discussions. Management is responsible for ensuring employees are equipped with the time, training, and tools to engage meaningfully, building a collaborative safety culture. 4. Mental health and psychosocial risk management Unlike earlier standards, ISO 45001 broadens the scope of health by addressing mental well-being. It identifies psychosocial risks such as long hours, job insecurity, and workplace bullying as potential hazards, enabling organisations to address stress and burnout as part of their safety programme. 5. Responsible outsourcing and procurement Companies often outsource parts of their operations to vendors and subcontractors. ISO 45001 accounts for this by encouraging businesses to integrate safety standards into procurement policies, ensuring external providers uphold the same safety values. This is particularly relevant to industries like food production and hospitality. For example, businesses might consider implementing additional controls, such as mandating a food safety course for food handlers, when aligning their internal safety practices with ISO 45001. Such integration ensures quality and safety at every level of the value chain. A summary of the main differences Feature bizSAFE ISO?45001 Scope & Purpose Singapore-specific programme designed to help SMEs progressively build a WSH (Workplace Safety & Health) culture and comply with local regulations. An international, globally applicable occupational health & safety management system (OHSMS), aimed at preventing physical and mental health risks. Framework & Levels Structured in five progressive levels (Levels 1–4, plus bizSAFE STAR), each with escalating requirements, from top-management commitment to risk management system audits. Based on ISO’s High-Level Structure (Annex SL), it is designed for systematic integration with other standards like ISO?9001 &?14001. Legislative Alignment Customised to meet local WSH Act mandates and includes extensions like SGSecure requirements (e.g., terrorism, disease, mental health). Globally aligned with ILO guidelines and national regulatory needs where implemented. Health Considerations Emphasises workplace safety and legislative compliance; health aspects are often addressed at later levels, but are less comprehensive. Explicitly includes physical and mental health, workplace stress and well-being considerations. Certification Authority BizSAFE Levels (1–4) awarded by Singapore’s WSH Council post successful course completion and audits; bizSAFE STAR requires ISO?45001 or equivalent + Risk Audit. Certification is granted by accredited bodies (like BSI), recognised by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) or equivalent via mutual recognition agreements. Global Recognition Recognised locally in Singapore, particularly among SMEs and regulatory stakeholders. Globally acknowledged; over 70 governments have adopted it as a national standard. Integration with bizSAFE ISO?45001 can be used directly to qualify for bizSAFE STAR status, confirming full alignment with local WSHMS excellence. ISO?45001 is the ultimate global standard; local implementation via SS ISO?45001 (Singapore Standard) ensures seamless integration with bizSAFE pathways. Conclusion Both bizSAFE and ISO 45001 offer structured, effective ways to improve occupational safety and health within an organisation. While bizSAFE is tailored to meet Singapore’s local compliance needs and is ideal for SMEs or companies focused on gradual internal development, ISO 45001 provides a globally recognised framework for comprehensive safety management. The choice between the two often depends on your organisation’s size, sector, regulatory obligations, and growth ambitions. For some companies, it may even make strategic sense to pursue both, starting with bizSAFE and eventually adopting ISO 45001 for international recognition and broader system integration. Ultimately, prioritising workplace safety should not just be about checking boxes but safeguarding lives, protecting business continuity, and fostering a culture where every employee can thrive. At Wong Fong Academy, we believe that workplace safety starts with empowered individuals. From forklift operations to safe lifting supervision and food safety, our comprehensive training programmes are designed to meet the needs of Singapore’s key industries. Enrol today and future-proof your workforce with practical skills that matter.
