In light of recent fatalities in the market and the future festive season, construction companies have been urged to start a two-week security timeout.  ,
The Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) stated on Thursday ( Nov. 7 ) that the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce and industry associations” strongly encourage companies in the construction sector to start a safety timeout from Nov 8 to Nov 22.”  ,
The government stated in its news release that the industry saw 10 deadly incidents between July and October, describing the current achievement of the construction industry as” concerning.”  ,
This” suggests a reduced focus” on working safety and health in the market.
Additionally, with the upcoming holiday season, it is crucial that the field stay alert and uphold safety requirements as companies may rush to meet dates before employees leave for home, said MOM.  ,
Companies are” highly motivated” to conduct a safety timeout for senior management to engage with site team and staff, review safety procedures, and tackle safety issues.  ,
Based on recent fatalities, MOM recommended three areas for businesses to target the security delay on: workers who were struck by falling objects, automotive safety, and safe raising and rigging activities.
Between 2022 and 2023, automotive situations were the leading cause of fatal workplace injury.
The health timeouts will increase public understanding of critical areas of concern and strengthen health protocols and guidelines for both contractors and subcontractors, according to MOM.
Public sector organizations” did lead by example and enlist their employees to carry out safety checks at their sites,” the statement continued.  ,
The government has furthermore ramped up audits in higher-risk sectors, including design, since October.  ,
Enforcement activity, including , charges, stop-work orders and constitutional penalties, may be taken against companies or individuals found undermining health regulations, it said.  ,
A 55-year-old Foreign construction worker was killed on October 21 when she was struck by a metal gate body at a Yishun job site.
In the same quarter, a , 38-year-old Bangladeshi worker , died at a Housing and Development Board job webpage along McNair Road after he was struck by a concrete masonry drain stream that was being lifted by an archaeologist.