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Update of Singapore's OK' Campaign - (2006)
Revised Criteria
Participating establishments must meet a set of criteria,
Public Toilet
- Ensure that all sanitary pipes and fittings are in good working condition.
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Provide soap and toilet paper.
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Provide litter bin.
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Provide sanitary bin for female toilet.
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Provide a working hand-dryer or paper towels.
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Provide a cleaner during peak hours.
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Cleaning schedule to be displayed prominently.
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Provide a channel for feedback through signages.
Pre Schools
- Comply with the SARS preventive measures prescribed by the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (for childcare centres) and the Ministry of Education (for kindergartens).
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Have a programme to teach the children good toilet and personal hygiene practices.
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Have a daily programme to clean/ disinfect the premises, including toys and mattresses.
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Have a programme for pest control checks.
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Have a system in place to ensure hygienic food preparation.
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Have a proper system for the storage and disposal of waste.
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Operator to ensure the toilets meet Singapore's O.K. criteria.
Food Shop
- A system to ensure hygienic food preparation.
- To provide serving spoons.
- A system to ensure proper storage and disposal of waste.
- To put in place a cleaing system to ensure tables, floor, the premise and immediate surrounding litter-free.
- Good housekeeping practices.
- A cleaning/ disinfecting programme.
- Provide a cleaner during peak hours.
- A pest control programme.
- Regular spring cleaning programme at least once every 6 months.
- Operator to ensure the toilets meet Singapore's O.K. criteria.
Condominium
- A cleaning programme for common areas/facilities.
- A proper refuse management system.
- A cleaning programme for water tanks.
- To check santiary piping for leaks.
- A cleaning programme for drains to prevent choked drains.
- Ensure swimming pool water meets standards.
- A pest control programme.
- Regualr checks to ensure no strays.
- Public toilets to meet Singapore's O.K. criteria.
Markets
- Regular spring cleaning programme at least once every six months.
- Daily disinfecting of stalls.
- Monthly pest control programme for stalls to prevent infestation of rodents and other pests.
- Proper housekeeping in displaying and storing goods in a neat and orderly manner.
- Meat chillers in good order and meat sales to be confined to cold chain system.
- Ensure proper storage and disposal of waste.
- A cleaning and clearing programme for drains.
- Operator to ensure the toilets meet Singapore's O.K. criteria.
Construction Sites
- Have twice daily temperature checks for workers and visitors - Applies only during critical period like SARS.
- Have good housekeeping for the worksite and workers' living quarters.
- Having a cleaning programme for toilets and bathing areas.
- Ensure all sanitary pipes and fittings are in good working condition.
- Have a proper refuse management system.
- Have a pest control programme.
- Have a cleaning and clearing programme for drains.
Hostels and Dormitories
- Have temperature checks for students, hall masters and staff (for hostels) and for workers residing in the domitories and staff (for dormitories)- Applies only during critical period like SARS.
- Have a cleaning programme.
- Have a proper refuse management system.
- Have a cleaning and clearing programme for drains.
- Have a system in place to ensure hygienic food preparation.
- Have a maintenance system for sanitary piping and sewers.
- Have a pest control programme.
- Have regular checks to ensure no strays.
- operator to ensure the toilets meet Singapore's O.K. criteria.
Decals
SOK 8 Community Habits
'Singapore's OK' Campaign - (2003)
1) Background
The outbreak of SARS has heightened public awareness of the importance of personal and environmental hygiene. Although there is no evidence so far in Singapore of SARS spreading through environmental factors, it is prudent that we do not take chances and observe good precautionary measures to minimize any such potential risks.
To succeed in achieving a high standard of environmental hygiene in public places, the collective efforts and commitment of the 3P (People, Private and Public) sectors are crucial. This is why the National Environment Agency (NEA) has initiated the 'Singapore's OK' campaign to rally the support of all Singaporeans and business establishments.
2) The concept of 'Singapore's OK'
* To promote the widespread adoption of good hygiene practices.
* Pervasive and sustainable campaign for Singaporeans to wage against all viruses, not just SARS.
* Concept of shared ownership and responsibility so that every sector can show its commitment to good hygiene and public health practices.
* Self-regulating as the operator/owner/management is responsible for maintaining the specified criteria for their sector.
* Once the establishments meet specific hygiene and cleanliness criteria, they can display a 'Singapore's OK' label as a show of their support and commitment.
* A free and voluntary scheme that allows all sectors to participate to show their commitment towards adopting good hygiene practices which safeguard good public health.
3) Why now?
* Good hygiene practices will help us to minimize transmission of infectious diseases.
* To boost public confidence in patronising or visiting those establishments that display the 'Singapore's OK' label, especially during the current SARS situation.
4) The campaign launch
Environment Minister Lim Swee Say launched the 'Singapore's OK' campaign on 6 May. He presented the first label to the owner of a coffeeshop at #01-1221 Block 443, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, for meeting the criteria for public toilets. (The coffeeshop's new toilet was also the 90th public toilet renovated under the NEA's ongoing Toilet Upgrading Programme.)
Pre-schools were next, and on 9 May, Minister Lim Swee Say presented the 'Singapore's OK' label for pre-schools at the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Yuhua Education Centre and NTUC Childcare Jurong East Centre.
5) Areas being targeted for the campaign
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has a list of target establishments that include
a) Public toilets
b) Pre-schools e.g. kindergartens and childcare centres
c) Food shops and Restaurants, including coffeeshops and food courts
d) Markets, including supermarkets and market produce shops
e) Private housing estates, including condominiums and landed properties
f) Hostels
g) Construction sites
These establishments serve the public and are visited or patronised by a large number of people daily so maintaining high standards of hygiene in such places is vital.
6) Is the programme compulsory? How different is it from existing requirements establishments must comply with?
The programme is voluntary. The criteria, which establishments must meet for the label, are over and above the normal hygiene requirements they currently must observe such as implementation of temperature check regime for markets and a cleaner during peak hours for public toilets.
7) Criteria for 'Singapore's OK'
Participating establishments must meet a set of criteria, e.g.
(a) Pre-schools must
- Comply with the SARS preventive measures prescribed by the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (for childcare centres) and the Ministry of Education (for kindergartens)
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Have a programme to teach the children good toilet and personal hygiene practices
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Have toilets that are in good working condition
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Ensure that toilet paper and soap are provided in the toilets
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Ensure that all sanitary pipes and fittings are in good working condition
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Have a daily programme to clean/disinfect the premises, including toys and mattresses
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Have a programme for pest control checks
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Have a system in place to ensure hygienic food preparation
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Have a proper system for the storage and disposal of waste
(b) Public toilets must
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Ensure that all fittings are in good working order.
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Provide soap and toilet paper.
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Provide working hand-dryer or paper towels.
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Provide cleaner during peak hours.
The criteria for the other establishments / premises will be developed with the relevant partners.
8) How 'Singapore's OK' participants will be assessed
NEA officers will assess participating establishments using a standard checklist based on the set criteria. Establishments that meet the criteria can display their 'Singapore's OK' label.
If an establishment subsequently fails to maintain the standards or meet the criteria, the NEA will allow the establishment some time to quickly put right the shortcomings. However, if they are unable to do so, they will be removed from the 'OK' list and be barred from participating in the programme for three months.
9) How establishments can join. Are there any fees to pay?
All establishments will be briefed on the campaign details. Those who wish to sign up can contact the NEA Call Centre on 1 800 CALL NEA (1 800 2255 632).
There are no charges/fees to join this national campaign as it falls under the NEA's long-term plan to encourage self-regulation in maintaining a high standard of hygiene in establishments and businesses.
10) Extension of 'Keep Places Clean and Free of Pests'
Mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches are not only pests, they are disease vectors. This means that they can spread dangerous diseases such as dengue haemorrhagic fever, plague and food poisoning. Getting rid of these vectors are therefore crucial in our constant efforts to protect ourselves against infectious diseases.
'Rat Attack' and 'Mozzie Attack' are further projects under the Singapore's OK umbrella that strive to encourage personal and community ownership amongst Singaporeans. They aim to highlight that only with total commitment and involvement of the community will we be able to achieve and sustain a high standard of environmental and public health in Singapore.
For more information, please click on:
- Press releases on 'Singapore's OK Campaign
- Posters
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