Enhanced Construction Safety Orientation Course (CSOC) For Construction Industry - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s

About the enhanced CSOC 1. Does the enhanced CSOC apply to both local and foreign workers? Yes, it will be required for all workers (both local and foreign workers) working in the construction industry.

2. What is the duration of the course and test? The enhanced CSOC is a two-day course, inclusive of the test. For the test alone, the duration is about half a day.

3. What is the validity of enhanced CSOC? The enhanced CSOC certificate is valid for 2 years for workers in their first 6 years of employment. Those who have worked more than 6 years will be issued with an enhanced CSOC certificate valid for 4 years.

4. How many different languages will the course and test be conducted in? The course and test are conducted in 7 languages, namely, English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Bengali, Thai and Hindi.

5. Who conducts the enhanced CSOC and test? The enhanced CSOC is conducted by both local Accredited Training Providers and Overseas Training Centres administered by Building and Construction Authority.

6. Is the training in Singapore any different from overseas training? Are the standards of training the same? The standard of training is expected to be the same regardless of whether the training is conducted in Singapore or overseas. All workers will be trained with the same syllabus and certification will be based on passing both the MCQ and practical tests.

Course/Test Fees 7. What is the Course/Test Fee? The estimated Course/Test Fees (excluding GST) are as follow: STAKEHOLDERS Overseas Training Centre (OTC) Local Accredited Training Provider (ATP) ENHANCED CSOC (Course + Test) $160 $120 ENHANCED CSOC (Test only) Not applicable $60

The Course/Test fee may differ slightly from one OTC/ATP to another.

8. Why is there an increase in the Course/Test Fee for ENHANCED CSOC as compared to the current CSOC? The difference in course fees between the current CSOC and the ENHANCED CSOC is due to the extra day of training, i.e. a 2-day course versus the current 1-day course. Additional facilities may also be required for the practical training, hence, the cost of the programme have to cover overheads such as the area and cost for the scaffold set-up, , personal protective equipment and other miscellaneous practical training materials and equipments.

CSOC requirements for new workers Note: New workers refer to workers who have never worked in Singapore or those whose certification is no longer valid after having returned to their home country. 9. What are the enhanced CSOC requirements for new workers? New workers can take the enhanced CSOC at the OTC or attend the CSOC at one of the local ATP in Singapore. If they attend the enhanced CSOC at the local ATP in Singapore, they have to sit for the test within 14 calendar days of arrival before their Work Permits (WPs) can be issued. They must also pass the test within 3 months of arrival, failing which their WPs will be revoked. No change to current practice in Singapore.

10. Will new workers be able to obtain their WPs once they have undergone the enhanced CSOC and passed the test? Undergoing the enhanced CSOC is only one of the requirements for WP issuance. Other conditions must also be fulfilled before the issuance, for example, the employer has to furnish medical insurance details and the worker has to pass a medical examination.

CSOC requirements for existing workers 11. What are the enhanced CSOC requirements for existing workers? Existing workers can go directly for a re-certification test upon the expiry of their CSOC. However, those who fail the recertification test will be required to attend the full enhanced CSOC, including the practical training and pass the re-test.

Responsibilities of employers 12. How can employers register for the enhanced CSOC at the OTC? The employers or employment agencies can register for the workers to take enhanced CSOC with the OTC when registration is made for the overseas tests at the OTC local offices in Singapore. The list of approved OTCs will be finalised by September 2012.

13. How will employers know that their workers are due for enhanced CSOC recertification? Employers will receive reminders from MOM at least a month before the expiry date of their workers enhanced CSOC certificate. They will have to ensure the workers, due for re-certification, undergo and pass the enhanced CSOC test.

Penalties 14. What are the penalties for non-compliance with the enhanced CSOC requirements? The penalties for non-compliance with the enhanced CSOC requirements remain the same as that for the current CSOC. For the safety of workers, it is important for employers to ensure that their workers are trained and pass the enhanced CSOC test. Hence, workers who fail to meet the CSOC requirements will have their Work Permits 3

revoked. Employers who send workers to work before they passed the CSOC may be taken to task under the WSH Act. Employers who repeatedly fail to ensure that their workers are properly trained and are ready to work safely on sites may have their new WP applications rejected and may not be able to renew the WPs of existing workers. .

Home leave 15. Would a worker on home leave be exempted from enhanced CSOC requirements? Workers on home leave will also have to meet the same requirements as existing workers. If a workers CSOC certificate is still valid and not expiring anytime soon, he will only need to go for re-certification when the certificate is close to expiry. However, if a workers enhanced CSOC certificate is close to expiry when the worker is going on home leave, his employer should apply for temporary cancellation of the WP. Upon the workers return to Singapore, he is required to sit for the recertification test before the WP can be reinstated.

16. What if the worker plans to go on home leave for > than three months? If the employer does not cancel the WP and the worker goes on home leave for more than 3 months, it would eventually be revoked if he does not possess a valid enhanced CSOC certification. As such, the employer may wish to cancel the WP first and then reapply for the WP when the worker returns before he commences work. The approval and issuance of WP is still subject to prevailing WP requirements.

Others 17. Can a worker use an existing and valid enhanced CSOC certification to apply for a WP with another employer? Workers can do so provided they meet the prevailing WP requirements. The new employer must ensure that the workers enhanced CSOC certification has a validity of at least a month before requesting for WP issuance.