WICA for Your Kitchen Crew: What Singapore F&B Owners Need to Know

The heartbeat of any successful F&B establishment is its kitchen crew. From skilled chefs handling sharp knives to tireless dishwashers navigating slippery floors and service staff carrying heavy trays, the F&B kitchen is a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Unfortunately, it's also an environment ripe for workplace injuries.

As a Singapore F&B owner, your responsibility to your staff extends beyond just paying their wages. You have a legal and moral obligation to ensure their safety, and critically, to provide compensation if they suffer a work-related injury or illness. This is where the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) comes into play.

What is WICA and Who Does It Cover?

WICA is a no-fault system that allows employees to claim compensation for work-related injuries or diseases without having to file a civil suit. This means employees don't need to prove that their employer was at fault to receive compensation.

Under WICA, ALL employees – local or foreign, part-time or full-time – are covered, regardless of their salary. The only exceptions are independent contractors, self-employed persons, and domestic workers (though there are other forms of insurance for the latter).

Common Kitchen Crew Injuries Covered by WICA:

F&B kitchen environments present unique hazards, leading to specific types of injuries that are typically covered:

• Cuts and Lacerations: From knives, broken glass, or sharp edges of equipment.
• Burns and Scalds: From hot ovens, stoves, fryers, boiling water, or hot oil.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Due to wet floors, grease, spills, or uneven surfaces. These can lead to sprains, fractures, or head injuries.
• Muscle Strains and Sprains: From lifting heavy pots, carrying trays, prolonged standing, or repetitive motions (e.g., chopping).
• Heat Exhaustion/Stroke: Due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures in the kitchen.
• Chemical Exposure: From cleaning agents or cooking chemicals.
• Back Injuries: From improper lifting techniques or long hours standing.

Your Obligations as an F&B Employer Under WICA:

1. Insure All Employees: This is mandatory. You must purchase Work Injury Compensation insurance for:
   • All employees doing manual work (regardless of salary).
   • All employees earning up to $2,600 a month (for non-manual work).
   • Best Practice: It is highly recommended to insure ALL employees, regardless of salary or nature of work, to avoid potential liabilities and disputes.
2. Report Accidents: You must report any work-related accident (that results in medical leave, light duties, or hospitalisation) to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within 10 days of the employer's notification or diagnosis. Fatal accidents must be reported within 24 hours.
3. Pay Compensation: Your WICA insurance policy will typically handle the compensation payouts, covering:
   • Medical leave wages
   • Medical expenses (doctor's visits, medication, hospitalization, surgery)
   • Lump sum compensation for permanent incapacity or death.

Why WICA Insurance is Critical for Your F&B Business:

• Legal Compliance: It's a mandatory requirement by MOM. Failure to comply can lead to heavy fines (up to $10,000 or even imprisonment) and criminal prosecution.
• Financial Protection: Without WICA insurance, your F&B business would be personally liable for potentially massive compensation payouts for injured staff. A serious injury could bankrupt your business.
• Employee Well-being: It ensures your injured employees receive the medical care and financial support they need to recover, demonstrating your commitment to their welfare.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing your staff are covered allows you to focus on running your business, even in the event of an unfortunate accident.

For F&B owners in Singapore, managing a kitchen crew means managing specific risks. Ensuring you have robust WICA insurance in place is not just about compliance; it's about protecting your most valuable assets – your people – and safeguarding your business against unexpected financial burdens. Review your WICA policy today to ensure comprehensive coverage for your entire team.

Let SMEsure handle the risk management for your business. This frees you up to fully focus on your business and dedicate more time to the people who matter most.

For more information on how SMEsure can support your business, visit us here.