SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has uncovered breaches at more than 95 per cent of workplaces it inspected.
Since mid-December, the ministry conducted 510 inspections. A total of 486 contraventions were uncovered and it issued seven stop-work orders, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said in his Committee of Supply speech on Wednesday (Mar 3).
AdvertisementAdvertisementTwo safety time-outs were also called since last November by the Workplace Safety and Health Council and industry associations to improve safety protocols, he added.
[h=3]READ: Construction firms urged to review safety protocols after 3 workplace fatalities in 2 days[/h]A safety time-out involves reviewing construction activities and safety protocols. This includes checking the stability of structures, as well as inspecting machinery, electrical installations and storage of materials and any hazardous chemicals.
“MOM is alarmed at the recent spate of workplace accidents. The ministry is investigating every incident,” Mr Zaqy said.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“We acknowledge that companies are facing manpower shortages due to border and pandemic controls. Nevertheless, companies must not compromise worker safety by rushing or having workers operate machinery or perform tasks that they are not trained for,” he added.
[h=3]READ: Tuas explosion: 3 workers die from injuries, 5 in critical condition[/h]Citing the Tuas explosion that occurred on Feb 24, Mr Zaqy said officials are “particularly concerned” with it and it was one of the worst accidents in recent years.
The ministry’s inspectors have started checking on close to 500 companies that may have combustible dust hazards, he said. The ministry will also appoint an Inquiry Committee to study the causes and recommend prevention measures, which could include new policies.
On construction safety, Mr Zaqy said MOM will release a framework emphasising safety performance for public sector construction tenders later this year, so that safer companies will have better access to business opportunities.
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