Workers encouraged to report unsafe practices to supervisors
Inspection and audit on higher-risk industries will be increased by 50% after the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) found that businesses are neglecting workplace safety and health (WSH) measures.
MOM said on Tuesday that inspection and audit will be hiked in the next two months in industries including Construction and Manufacturing.
It comes after Workplace Safety and Health Commissioner Silas Sng said their recent inspections uncovered a "general lack of ownership and emphasis on workplace safety," Channel News Asia reported.
During their inspection on Monday, MOM issued a Stop-Work Order on contractor Trinity Construction Development after authorities discovered WSH lapses in its worksite near Newton MRT.
"Basic control measures are not in place as we have witnessed at this worksite today," Sng told CNA.
MOM said it carried out the inspection after its preliminary assessment yielded poor safety practices for higher risk activities.
"Our inspection confirmed issues with work at height and further uncovered basic safety lapses such as poor housekeeping, unsafe access and egress as well as ineffective barriers to prevent fall from heights," MOM said in a statement.
Other lapses include staircases without hand railings and lift shafts that were not blocked off, according to CNA's report. Work at the site can only be resumed after a follow-up inspection by MOM.
Enhanced safety measures
MOM's recent inspections across workplaces are part of its enhanced measures after the country ended its Heightened Safety Period (HSP) in May.
In its place, MOM introduced Safety Accountability, Focus, and Empowerment (SAFE) measures to continue improving WSH outcomes even without the HSP.
SAFE measures announced by Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce will include the extension of the Demerit Point System to the Manufacturing Sector on October 1.
This September, the online Top Executive Workplace Safety and Health Programme will also be made available to CEOs and Board of Directors from higher-risk sectors so they can understand their WSH obligations.
"Workplace safety must be a top priority for all employers and workers. Workers are encouraged to report unsafe practices to their supervisors or to MOM via SnapSAFE. Members of the public can also do the same," MOM said.
