Number of workplace injuries in the construction sector jumped in 2014: MND

Is this Singapore’s most dangerous job?

The number of workplace fatalities in Singapore increased to 30 in the first half of 2014, 5 more compared to the same period last year, the Ministry of National Development revealed in a written response to a parliamentary question.

More than half of these fatalities occurred in the construction sector. Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin stated that the workplace safety performance of the construction sector is of particular concern, causing the MND to step up its enforcement of workplace safety regulations.

“In the first eight months of this year, about 4,600 inspections were carried out. 51 Stop Work Orders, close to 2,000 Composition Fines and more than 6,000 Notices of Non-Compliance were issued. We have also applied for stronger penalties for cases where there were serious breaches of the law, including higher fines against employers who failed in their duties. All these immediate measures serve to emphasize the importance of workplace safety, as well as to deter lapses and non-compliant behaviour,” he said.