NIOSH signs Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health Institute

Contact: Christina Spring, (202) 245-0633

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Workplace Safety and Health Institute of Singapore (WSH Institute) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to recognize the importance of research and new knowledge in developing and applying preventive measures in occupational safety and health, and to share a common mission to contribute to the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. This MOU is intended to continue for a period of five years from date of signature.

Under the agreement, NIOSH will partner with the WSH Institute to cooperate, subject to the strategic priorities and budgetary resources of each, in defining sound occupational safety and health prevention practices and interventions in the workplace, and to implement strategies which expand protection to workers and their communities.

"International cooperation is a critical part of improving the safety and health of all workers," said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. "We are excited to cooperate with the Workplace Safety and Health Institute of Singapore and work together to jointly develop a plan of action to increase workplace safety and health across the globe.”

Through this cooperation, NIOSH and WSH Institute plan to:

• Discuss opportunities for enhancing staff capacity
• Explore scientific activities in which they share a common interest, and joint publications arising from collaborative efforts
• Identify opportunities for transferring and promoting occupational safety and health knowledge/findings at training courses or seminars
• Promote the dissemination of information in the area of occupational safety and health via all types of media
• Share and exchange occupational safety and health related information resources
• Identify other areas for future collaboration and the appropriate mechanisms for formalizing those efforts.

NIOSH is the federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. It was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. For further information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh.

WSH Institute was created in 2011 by the Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower in partnership with the Workplace Safety and Health Council. Their mission is to advance workplace safety and health through knowledge, innovations and solutions. For further information, visit http://www.wshi.gov.sg/index.html