28-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore is set to implement tougher measures, including higher fines for companies breaching safety regulations and mandatory surveillance cameras at major construction sites. These new initiatives, slated to take effect on June 1st, underscore the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its workforce and fostering a culture of accountability in the realm of occupational health and safety.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced that the maximum fine for companies found in violation of the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act Subsidiary Legislation will be increased from $20,000 to $50,000. This heightened financial penalty will apply to offenses that are major causes of death, serious injury, or dangerous occurrences such as explosions.
Offenses subject to the increased fine include failing to implement protective structures to prevent falls, neglecting to appoint competent personnel for critical duties, and failing to inspect or maintain essential equipment like cranes and scaffolding.
Despite Singapore’s record low workplace fatality and major injury rates in 2023, the government remains steadfast in its pursuit of sustainable safety improvements across all industries. Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Zaqy Mohamad, emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance, stating, “We don’t want to be complacent. We don’t want to be a one-hit wonder. We had a record low year last year, but let’s bear in mind that in the year before that, we were still grappling with high (fatality and major injury) rates. Therefore, we wanted to ensure that this is sustainable over time.”
In addition to the increased fines, the MOM has mandated the installation of surveillance cameras at construction sites with a contract sum of at least $5 million. These video systems, comprising cameras, monitors, and recorders, will be strategically placed in high-risk work areas to serve as a deterrent against unsafe workplace behavior and provide valuable insights for investigating safety incidents and near-misses.
The multi-agency workplace safety task force, which announced the measure in May 2023, stated that companies will bear the cost of implementing these surveillance systems.
Zaqy acknowledged the availability of support measures to assist companies in adopting automated technologies but emphasized that worker safety should not be viewed as a cost but as a matter of preserving lives.
During a recent visit to the Serangoon Polyclinic worksite, the main contractor, Zheng Keng Engineering and Construction, showcased its video surveillance system installed in October 2023. The system, comprising 17 cameras, sends automated alerts to a Telegram chat monitored by safety supervisors, enabling them to promptly address safety breaches or resolve issues.
According to Guo Jin Shun, a WSH officer at Zheng Keng, the digital surveillance system has significantly reduced the number of safety breaches observed on site, from nine to ten per week to just four or five.
One of the company’s workers, Muthu Kannan, 28, expressed appreciation for the new system, stating, “If I remove my helmet or do not wear my vest properly, the camera detects it. I think it’s helpful because it’s safer for us.”
