Safety lapses in construction: Deadline pressure may be factor, says MOM

SINGAPORE — In response to concerns over workplace safety lapses in the construction industry, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday acknowledged that it had received feedback from employers that they are under pressure to complete projects within tight deadlines.

“It is possible that some employers who have not placed enough emphasis on developing safe and innovative ways to increase productivity have begun to cut corners in workplace safety and health (WSH), after finding that they are unable to meet deadlines,” a spokesman said, adding that this was “not tenable”.

The ministry’s comments came a day after stakeholders from the construction industry said the construction boom and shortage of workers to handle the demand could be among the reasons for a spate of safety lapses and accidents in the construction sector.

There were 17 construction-related deaths in the first half of the year, up from 11 fatalities during the same period last year. The number of incidents involving major injuries in the first five months also jumped 15 per cent from the same period last year to 71.

The ministry yesterday stressed that workplace safety is of “paramount importance”.

“Workers’ lives are at stake when employers cut corners and we do not condone poor WSH practices for any reason,” the spokesman said.

Besides the penalties imposed on errant employers, the MOM carries out the Business Under Surveillance programme and the Demerit Point System to “reform the WSH regimes” of construction companies with poor practices.

The MOM also said the companies could tap government assistance on both the productivity and safety fronts. For example, construction firms may tap the Construction Productivity and Capability Fund as well as Productivity and Innovation Credit to support their companies’ workforce development, adoption of technology and capability development.

On the workplace safety and health front, employers can turn to the various programmes offered by the WSH Council, such as bizSAFE to build WSH capabilities and CultureSAFE to foster a strong WSH culture.

“Firms should tap these grants and schemes to find innovative ways to improve productivity, while ensuring work processes remain safe,” the MOM spokesman said.