MOM: Fatal incidents in construction sector ‘concerning,’ orders 2-week safety time-out

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has called on construction companies to implement a two-week safety timeout (STO), urging them to focus on workplace safety in light of a recent surge in fatal accidents.

MOM, along with the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce and various industry associations, strongly encourages companies in the construction sector to pause operations and review their safety protocols from 8 to 22 November.

This comes after a series of fatal incidents, including 10 deaths recorded between July and October 2024, which have raised concerns about declining safety standards.

In a press release issued on Thursday (7 Nov), MOM emphasised that the sector’s recent safety performance was “concerning,” suggesting a need for greater vigilance and adherence to safety measures, particularly as the festive season approaches.

The ministry highlighted that companies might be under pressure to meet deadlines before workers go on home leave, which could potentially lead to a lapse in safety.

As part of the safety timeout, MOM is encouraging senior management teams to engage with on-site workers, review current safety practices, and address potential hazards.

This initiative involves stepping back from the usual work routine to reassess and refine safety protocols and health systems within the workplace.

The ministry specified that, based on the recent fatal incidents, companies should focus on three critical areas: the risk of workers being struck by falling objects, vehicular safety, and safe lifting and rigging activities.

To further support the sector’s safety culture, public sector agencies will also lead by example, urging their contractors to implement similar safety timeouts at their worksites.

Additionally, MOM has stepped up inspections in high-risk sectors, including construction, since October.

Companies or individuals found violating safety regulations face potential enforcement actions, such as fines, stop-work orders, or legal penalties.

29 workplace fatalities recorded this year; 10 death between July and October 2024

Last month, MOM released Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) performance report, revealed that 19 workers died from workplace injuries in the first half of 2024, an increase from 14 fatalities during the same period in 2023.

Vehicular incidents were the leading cause of death, followed by falls from a height and the collapse or breakdown of structures and equipment.

So far, 29 workplace fatalities have been recorded this year. In comparison, 36 workplace deaths were reported in 2023.

On 21 October, a 55-year-old Chinese construction worker was killed at a Yishun site when a steel gate frame fell on him.

In another incident, a 38-year-old Bangladeshi worker was fatally struck by a precast concrete drain channel at a Housing and Development Board project site along McNair Road.

On 29 September, a 44-year-old Bangladeshi worker tragically lost his life in an accident at a construction site within Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

The incident occurred while a group of workers was assembling a winch drum on two concrete blocks. The winch slipped, causing injuries to four workers.