Nine fatal workplace accidents recorded last month alone is nine cases too much, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has decided to really step up their enforcement efforts on safety.
The recent spate of fatal workplace accidents have prompted the ministry to double down on inspections, focusing on supervisory practices, quality of worker’s training and adequacy of risk management. In the coming four weeks, a total of 500 workplaces across the island will be inspected to ensure that safety and health standards are being maintained.
“Most of these accidents could have been prevented with proper risk assessment and effective implementation of preventive measures,” said Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Er. Ho Siong Hin. “Every worker is entitled to a safe workplace and employers have the responsibility to provide it.”
An enforcement operation held from October till December last year uncovered 1,900 WSH contraventions, with nearly $450,000 in fines issued. 14 workplaces were even issued with Stop Work Orders, with issues including a lack of proper barricades at openings and failure to maintain lifting appliances.
“We will take errant contractors and employers that expose their workers to unnecessary risks to task,” assured Ho.
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