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MOM reviewing demerit points system, number of safety officers on building sites after spike in workplace deaths

MOM reviewing demerit points system, number of safety officers on building sites after spike in workplace deaths
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is reviewing the demerit points system for breaches under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, amid a "worrying" spike in deaths at construction and other worksites this year. The number of safety officers on construction sites is also being reviewed.

Speaking at the Singapore Contractors Association’s (Scal's) annual Safety and Health Campaign event on Thursday (June 23), Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said that the review of the demerit points system would lead to "safer construction companies" having better business opportunities.

"The unsafe firms will be disqualified from competing with you for government contracts, or will have a tougher time getting foreign manpower because they have more demerit points," he said. 

 
Also up for review is the number of workplace safety and health (WSH) personnel such as WSH auditors, officers and coordinators who are stationed at worksites to improve safety oversight. 

"The current regime has been in place for more than a decade and it is timely to review the requirements," said Dr Tan. "Having more WSH personnel on the ground will help contractors to better manage WSH onsite."

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