MOM will conduct 500 workplace inspections over next 4 weeks

SINGAPORE — Following nine fatal workplace accidents last month, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be conducting 500 workplace inspections island-wide over the next four weeks to ensure that safety and health standards are maintained.

The inspections will focus on areas such as supervisory practices, the quality of worker’s training and adequacy of risk management.

Investigations into the nine fatal workplace accidents this month are still ongoing. “Preliminary findings indicate ineffective implementation of risk assessments, absence of fall protection plans and/or unsafe work procedures were contributory factors,” said the ministry in a statement today (Feb 4).

Between October and December last year, an enforcement operation codenamed Operation Cormorant saw the inspection of over 1,150 workplaces, with a focus on work heights, crane safety and traffic management.

During this operation, more than 1,900 workplace safety and health (WSH) contraventions were uncovered. According to MOM, the top three contraventions were: Failure to ensure that openings and open sides were properly barricaded or guarded; failure to properly maintain lifting appliances or lifting machines and failure to establish and implement lifting plans prior to carrying out any lifting operation.

Close to S$450,000 in fines were issued and 14 workplaces were issued with Stop Work Orders, said the ministry.

Under the WSH Act, companies may be fined up to S$500,000 for the first offence for failing to ensure workplace safety and health. Individuals can also be fined up to S$200,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 24 months for offences under the Act.