“Severe penalties” will be imposed, says minister
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) uncovered more than 400 safety violations in June following inspections of 400 worksites targeting work-at-height activities.
Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan disclosed the update on Monday during a Workplace Safety and Health forum attended mainly by bosses of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the construction industry, The Straits Times reported.
Authorities have subsequently issued 322 non-compliance notices and 70 composition fines, Tan said. Four stop-work orders, three of which were due to work-at-height safety violations, were also meted out.
"We will take strict and serious action for each safety violation and impose severe penalties. These violations could have been injurious or harmful to the workers," said the minister.
The update follows the collapse of a Pan-Island Expressway work site last Friday that took the life of one worker and left 10 other injured.
"The accident has shocked many and I am also deeply saddened by it. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and relevant authorities have commenced an investigation into the cause, and issued a stop-work order,” the minister said as quoted by the report.
During his speech, Tan also emphasized the importance of safety at work-at-height worksites and how incidents can be avoided. He noted the ministry’s education initiatives to assist companies in adopting work-at-height safety practices, including the expanded Mobile Work at Heights Programme.
The ministry conducted 80 such visits when it launched the initiative last year. Tan said the ministry plans to go on 300 visits this year to target more small- and medium-sized construction enterprises.
Related stories:
Construction firm fined $150,000 over safety lapses leading to worker’s death
Amendments to Workplace Safety and Health Act proposed
Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan disclosed the update on Monday during a Workplace Safety and Health forum attended mainly by bosses of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the construction industry, The Straits Times reported.
Authorities have subsequently issued 322 non-compliance notices and 70 composition fines, Tan said. Four stop-work orders, three of which were due to work-at-height safety violations, were also meted out.
"We will take strict and serious action for each safety violation and impose severe penalties. These violations could have been injurious or harmful to the workers," said the minister.
The update follows the collapse of a Pan-Island Expressway work site last Friday that took the life of one worker and left 10 other injured.
"The accident has shocked many and I am also deeply saddened by it. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and relevant authorities have commenced an investigation into the cause, and issued a stop-work order,” the minister said as quoted by the report.
During his speech, Tan also emphasized the importance of safety at work-at-height worksites and how incidents can be avoided. He noted the ministry’s education initiatives to assist companies in adopting work-at-height safety practices, including the expanded Mobile Work at Heights Programme.
The ministry conducted 80 such visits when it launched the initiative last year. Tan said the ministry plans to go on 300 visits this year to target more small- and medium-sized construction enterprises.
Related stories:
Construction firm fined $150,000 over safety lapses leading to worker’s death
Amendments to Workplace Safety and Health Act proposed
