Zaqy acknowledged concerns over the rise in fatalities but highlighted that Singapore’s construction sector performs better than many developed countries, such as Japan, although it still lags behind top performers like the Netherlands.
To address safety issues, Zaqy said MOM has ramped up enforcement with over 3,000 inspections in 2024, focusing on critical safety concerns such as working at heights and risks from falling objects. A Safety Time-Out was implemented in November 2024 to refresh workers’ safety awareness and reinforce adherence to safety protocols.
The Workplace Safety and Health Task Force, composed of MOM, BCA, WSH Council, and industry committees, has introduced various measures to improve safety standards.
New safety measures include the safety disqualification framework for public construction projects, which bars contractors with poor performance from bidding, and a requirement for construction sites with contracts above S$5 million to install video surveillance systems, he said.
External safety audits after serious incidents remain mandatory, even after the heightened safety period of 2022. To enhance leadership accountability, senior leaders in high-risk sectors, including construction, are required to attend the Top Executive WSH program.
Despite progress, Zaqy acknowledged that construction fatalities remain disproportionately high, urging companies and workers to improve safety standards, particularly during the time-pressured Chinese New Year period, with MOM’s enhanced enforcement efforts continuing during this period.
Workers’ Party MP Louis Chua asked if a workplace fatality would automatically trigger a disqualification period for public sector projects and inquired about MOM’s resources for investigating safety violations and ensuring corrective measures are implemented.
Zaqy confirmed that the merit point system for public sector projects has been strengthened, with firms accumulating 25 demerit points facing a three-month debarment.
Fatalities, serious violations, or even minor injuries can trigger demerit points, leading to disqualification from bidding for public contracts, which can significantly impact larger firms.
While the system works for larger companies, smaller SMEs, especially in sectors like renovation and facility management, may not be as affected due to their lesser reliance on public contracts.
Zaqy emphasised that MOM continues to focus on enforcement, monitoring, and proactive safety measures, particularly in sectors where safety concerns are often overlooked.
