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SINGAPORE — The Government will waive the cost of swab tests for construction workers until August this year, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) announced on Wednesday (May 27).

These are for those involved in all construction works that are allowed to resume before August.

Renovation works in residential units and building works for single dwelling landed properties are the first types of projects that are allowed to resume after June 1, when the circuit breaker that put a stop to most economic activities ends.

But employers must first seek BCA’s approval to start work and then arrange for their workers to undergo Covid-19 testing. The authority will only approve the applications if the personnel have been tested negative.

BCA will contact eligible companies to arrange for their employees to be tested, and approvals for the resumption of work may be withdrawn if workers miss their regular testing.

In addition, those involved in building works for landed residential properties will have to undergo swab tests once every two weeks. S-Pass and work permit holders involved in renovation works will also be required to undergo swab tests once every two weeks.

TODAY has asked BCA how much each swab test costs. Construction companies that were interviewed said that it costs around S$200.

Mr Johnny Lim, the executive director of Teambuild Construction Group, told TODAY that having to manage the cost for the swab test is definitely a concern since it was not anticipated at the time of tender and no budget has been set aside for it.

However, Mr Kenneth Loo, the executive director of Straits Construction, said that the swab test waiver will not help much since most site work is expected to resume only in late July or August.

“Effectively, this relief is only for a short period. If this requirement (for fortnightly swab tests) is to continue for a long time, then the burden is tremendous,” Mr Loo added.

BCA also said in a media statement that it would prioritise previously suspended residential renovation works that started before April 7 to resume.

Mr Hugh Lim, chief executive officer of BCA, said: “We understand that homeowners are looking forward to the completion of renovation works, and also building works for landed properties, especially those who are waiting to move into their new homes.”

However, works have to resume gradually in order to safeguard the health of the workforce and the safety of homeowners and the community at large, he said.

Suspended renovation works in other types of buildings, new renovation works and new building works for landed residential properties will resume or start in a later phase.

Beyond August, the Government will work out arrangements on how the cost of Covid-19 testing should be shared among different parties.

Besides the cost of swab tests, construction companies approached by TODAY also said that they are worried about other challenges, such as the availability of tests and the cohorting of workers.

Mr Nelson Tee, managing director of CHH Construction System, said: “What if there aren’t enough tests and my workers can’t get tested? Does it mean they have to stop working?”

Mr Akbar Kader, managing director of Nan Guan Construction, is also concerned about the impact that the regulations will have on his company.

Normally, he said, construction projects would involve several groups of sub-contractors performing different roles such as plumbing or mechanical and electrical works, and they would work on various work sites in a single day.

However, employers will need to implement cohorting to separate workers based on the projects that they are working on, which would be difficult to achieve with these sub-contractors, Mr Akbar said.

Besides swab test costs, another pressing concern for construction companies is the extra time they would need to complete their projects, which might incur extra costs, Mr Lim from Teambuild Construction said.

“There is a committed time frame allocated for the completion of each project,” he said. “The manpower cost, preliminaries cost, overheads, machinery and equipment rental cost that were allowed for at the time of tender would be overrun if the project is delayed.”

Another concern, Mr Lim said, is whether his firm can still get enough workers once the project restarts, and “whether our sub-contractors and suppliers survive the business lockdown”.

Besides the fortnightly swab tests, other measures have been put in place as work is resumed:

All personnel must download the TraceTogether application on their phones by June 1 for contact tracing

Companies must have the SafeEntry application operating at workplace premises to record all entries and exits

Strict safe management measures must be enforced

Companies will need to appoint safe management officers or safe distancing officers, or both

Companies will need to provide dedicated transport between work sites and workers’ accommodation

Source: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/government-waive-swab-test-costs-construction-workers-until-august

SINGAPORE — A hundred firefighters and 19 emergency vehicles were deployed to put out a fire which broke out at a warehouse at No 6 Sungei Kadut Way on Saturday (May 23) evening.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post on Saturday that it was alerted to the fire at about 7pm.

“Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire was raging from within the two-storey warehouse. SCDF quickly deployed its resources to surround and contain the fire,” it said in its post.

In addition to emergency vehicles and firefighters, SCDF said that it deployed seven water and foam jets, as well as an Unmanned Firefighting Machine to mitigate the fire at the height of operations.

SCDF said that the fire involved vehicles, including scrap vehicles, in the warehouse.

Paramedics attended to two workers of the warehouse who had sustained minor injuries. “They refused to be conveyed to the hospital,” said the SCDF.

The fire was extinguished at 9.15pm. SCDF said it is investigating the cause of the fire.

Source: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/100-firefighters-deployed-put-out-blaze-sungei-kadut-warehouse

SINGAPORE: A raging fire tore through a warehouse in Tuas early on Wednesday morning (May 13), causing some of its walls to collapse.

Firefighters responded at 6.20am to the blaze at 2B Tuas Avenue 12, which engulfed the second floor of a two-storey warehouse, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in a Facebook post.

Sixteen emergency vehicles, 70 firefighters and eight handheld water jets were deployed to contain the fire, it added.

“Firefighters faced intense heat from the fire, which caused the walls of the premises to break off,” SCDF said.

The warehouse contained machinery and bales of plastic resin, it added.

The fire was extinguished at about 7.50am, but firefighters were still damping down burnt surfaces to prevent flames from reigniting, SCDF said in the post published at 8.44am.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation, it added.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/fire-tuas-warehouse-scdf-walls-collapse-12726756

SINGAPORE: Regular checks are being done at construction sites to prevent mosquito breeding, said companies CNA spoke to, even as the enhanced “circuit breaker” measures require most construction workers to stay away.

All work permit and S Pass holders in the construction industry are currently on stay-home notice as a precautionary measure to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Employers may, however, seek exemption from the authorities for workers to conduct essential services such as mosquito control.

In response to CNA’s queries, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said only a minimum number of foreign workers are allowed to remain on-site to perform essential tasks.

“(Other than a select number of strategic projects), contractors must continue to ensure that security, environmental control (including preventing mosquito breeding) and safety of building works are not compromised during the circuit breaker period,” said BCA.

“These workers who are approved to work on these strategic projects and performing essential works at all other construction sites are mostly staying at the construction sites or are allowed to travel only between the work site and their place of residence,” it added.

As the dengue peak season approaches, some residents were concerned if construction sites could become mosquito breeding grounds, given that most of these workplaces are now left idle.

“They just started a lot of road works for the north-south corridor right outside my house,” said Ms Tessa Sam, who lives in Yio Chu Kang.

“There was this sign outside the construction site that said ‘Good housekeeping prevents mosquitoes breeding’ and it reminded me that when it’s raining, there is no one working, so when the rainwater collects there is no one to clear the water,” she said.

Ms Sam added that she has been finding mosquitoes all over her living room, although she is not sure if they are coming from the work site nearby.

Companies told CNA that they have taken measures to ensure that worksites are well-maintained.

“During this period, we have successfully applied for exemption from complete suspension of workplace activities as we are concerned about possible mosquito breeding,” said Ms Jen Tan, senior vice president of Solar Singapore & SEA (Energy Division) of Sembcorp Industries.

She added that the exemption allows Sembcorp Industries employees to enter work sites to conduct regular checks during the duration of the extended circuit breaker.

“As an additional precaution, we have also briefed client facilities personnel on what to look out for so they can conduct their own checks and alert us if there are concerns,” she added.

Some of the measures taken include identifying and eliminating ponding areas, moving equipment to indoor storage wherever possible and covering construction materials left outside with canvas sheets to prevent water from collecting.

All these are part of the company’s regular housekeeping measures, and are conducted across all its solar work sites, said Ms Tan.

Sembcorp Industries has several solar construction projects which have been suspended due to the circuit breaker measures.

Chang Hua Construction said it relies on in-house workers for daily maintenance, and outsourced some of the work to pest control companies.

The construction firm has one temporarily suspended work site at Mactaggart Road in the MacPherson area.

Straits Construction, meanwhile, said it houses fewer than five workers at each of its six construction sites. The workers are isolated at their individual sites and do not travel out, said chief operating officer and executive director Kenneth Loo.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), fewer construction sites have been found to have mosquito breeding, with a 30 per cent reduction over the past three years compared to the preceding three years.

“From NEA’s inspection records, the majority of mosquito breeding are still found in homes,” said the agency.

NEA added that it has conducted about 1,800 inspections at construction sites from January to Apr 22 this year, and issued 26 summons and two stop work orders. Two contractors will be charged in court for repeat offences.

“As the traditional dengue peak season is approaching, NEA will be stepping up dengue inspections at common properties and construction sites, where construction site operators continue to be responsible for vector control measures to be undertaken at all times.

“Even with the closure of businesses during the circuit breaker period, owners of premises and work sites need to ensure that adequate vector control measures are taken at all premises under their responsibility,” said a spokesperson.

NEA added that it issued advisories to the Singapore Contractors Association on Apr 3 to remind construction site operators to ensure proper upkeep of their sites to prevent mosquito breeding habitats.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/construction-site-dengue-regular-checks-covid19-circuit-breaker-12685134

SINGAPORE – A total of 14 workplace deaths were recorded in Singapore this year from Jan 1 to April 17, up from nine in the same period in 2019.

“This worrying trend reinforces the need for employers and workers to make workplace safety and health a priority, and press on with efforts to improve it even during this difficult time,” said Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad on Monday (April 27).

He urged companies to take the Covid-19 downtime to improve their workplace safety and health (WSH) systems and processes, such as by tapping the WSH Council’s training materials and leveraging technologies to boost safety and health performances, and for workers and employers to focus on maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Mr Zaqy’s remarks were shared on video for the launch of the National Workplace Safety and Health Campaign 2020, which was conducted virtually because of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

While on-site operations at non-essential services workplaces have been halted since the start of circuit breaker measures on April 7, the majority, or 12, of these workplace fatalities took place between January and March.

Some of the fatalities included a worker for transport operator SMRT who died on March 23, when an accident occurred while he was operating a hydraulic press machine.

On March 11, a worker fell after being hit by a rudder, which was being installed at the rear of a marine vessel, and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

In January, a worker died after falling through a false ceiling in Tampines Mall.

The industries in which these workplace deaths occurred include construction and manufacturing, as well as logistics and transport, according to the Ministry of Manpower.

Singapore saw 39 workplace deaths in 2019, the lowest since records were first compiled in 2004, although there was an increase in the number of injuries sustained at work.

WSH Council chairman John Ng highlighted that companies play an important role in caring for workers’ safety and health.

More than 68,000 workers from 78 companies have access to safety advice and health programmes, such as information on chronic disease management, at their workplaces to date, he noted.

He encouraged companies to apply technology to their businesses in areas such as training for workers, adding that the WSH Council has compiled training materials which address common workplace hazards such as machinery safety.

“I do not know how long the pandemic will continue, but I would like to encourage companies to get their workers to learn from home during this period,” he said, urging them to make the best use of the Covid-19 downtime.

The campaign, now in its third consecutive year, is organised by the council along with its tripartite partners – the Ministry of Manpower, the Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress.

An electronic kit with tips on disease and lifestyle management has been developed as part of this year’s campaign, and can be found at the campaign’s website.

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/manpower/14-workplace-deaths-in-singapore-this-year-up-from-9-over-same-period-in-2019

SINGAPORE: The COVID-19 “circuit breaker” measures could delay construction projects by months, contractors said, predicting a manpower crunch when they eventually try to clear the backlog.

Contractors said they will speed up work after the circuit breaker is lifted by deploying more workers to job sites. But they said this will prove difficult, with limited manpower and little chance of adding workers from abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Even then, the contractors stated that projects might not immediately resume as manufacturers of construction materials will need time to restart processes. Any resumption of work will also depend on the condition of workers, they added.

Thousands of foreign workers in Singapore – a number of whom work in the construction industry – have contracted COVID-19, making up a majority of the country’s cases in recent days.

Since Apr 7, all construction work has been halted as part of the Government’s circuit breaker measures to minimise further spread of the virus. On Tuesday (Apr 21), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the measures will be extended by a month to Jun 1.

Contractors that CNA spoke to days before the announcement said they have no doubt that construction projects will be pushed back.

Singapore Contractors Association (SCAL) president Ng Yek Meng said projects have been delayed since the start of the outbreak near the end of January, as China locked down its cities which disrupted the flow of labour and materials to Singapore.

Then in March, the situation worsened as Malaysia imposed its own lockdown, he said, halting the supply of pre-cast concrete components and other construction materials.

“To date, we expect the delays to be about three to six months,” he added. “However, it can be longer depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves and the measures taken to contain the spread.”

PQ Builders director Peh Ke-Pin suggested that projects will be delayed for another month after the circuit breaker is lifted, pointing out that construction material must first be produced.

“There’s a lead time for fabrication alone,” he said. “You need to start the kilns to manufacture cement, so the timelines will be affected.”

REVENUES HIT

While the delays might not be a problem contractually – the Government has legislated that contractors who cannot meet delivery deadlines due to COVID-19 are eligible for relief – some contractors will still try to avoid them.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has already said it will work with contractors to speed up construction of new flats after the circuit breaker is lifted.

“We will work closely with our contractors to track and monitor any impact on the progress of our projects,” HDB said on its website. “Should there be any delays in the completion, we will inform flat buyers accordingly.”

Ginlee Construction managing director Tommy Lim said delayed projects translate to lost income, especially as contractors progressively earn by completing different stages of a project.

A month without progress due to the circuit breaker would cost Mr Lim about S$400,000 in lost revenue across his 10 projects, which include commercial works like the expansion of a Google office in Singapore.

“As a contractor, you know that the more you drag, it’s not good for your overheads,” he explained. “If you can complete projects on time, you will cut down on overheads and make a profit.”

Overheads include building and equipment rentals, workers’ salaries as well as essential items like food and masks – costs that continue to add up even as construction sites remain at a standstill.

“From the bottom line angle, it’s a pain that everybody is going through,” Straits Construction executive director Kenneth Loo said. “The Government support eases it a bit, but it can never be eliminated.”

According to SCAL, the construction sector has contracted 4.3 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020, “with practically no revenue” during the circuit breaker period.

The Government has tried to help businesses hit by COVID-19 through a slew of measures, including foreign worker levy waivers, property tax rebates and bridging loans for small and medium enterprises.

SCAL’s Mr Ng said more help from the Government and industry stakeholders is always welcome. “Contractors are concerned with their cash flow and the ability to sustain the company through this difficult time,” he added.

MANPOWER CRUNCH

So when job sites finally re-open, Mr Lim believes that most contractors will try to speed up work to meet deadlines. This is done by adding more workers and machines.

“I can put in an extra one or two teams of three workers each, and add one or two sets of machinery,” he said.

But if this is multiplied across different projects, the contractors feel there won’t be enough manpower.

“When you rush after (the circuit breaker is lifted) and you have a limited timeline, you might eventually need to add 100 per cent to your workforce,” Mr Peh said.

“That kind of requirement is very difficult to meet, because in this period of time we can’t increase workers (from abroad) anyway.”

The Ministry of Manpower will only allow the entry of work pass holders into Singapore for those providing essential services, such as in healthcare and transport.

While contractors can outsource their foreign manpower needs, Mr Lim and Mr Peh said these “general workers” are usually not very skilled and only serve to make up numbers, especially when specialist machinery is involved.

To avoid these problems, Mr Lim said he has applied for a waiver to resume work on a number of projects he is involved in that might be considered essential, including work to operationalise Changi Airport’s Runway 3 by October.

The Changi Airport Group said on its website that work is ongoing to connect Runway 3 to the airport’s two existing runways, before Runway 2 is temporarily closed for the next phase of infrastructure works for the Changi East project.

Building and Construction Authority (BCA) regulations state that only works necessary to maintain the job site – like stabilising structures and controlling mosquito breeding – can continue during the circuit breaker.

“I really hope that within (this circuit breaker) I can resume whatever work,” Mr Lim said, adding that this will have to be done in accordance with strict health and safe distancing measures. “If I can finish one job, then it’s one less problem.”

CNA has contacted BCA for comment.

While contractors can make plans to start work as soon possible, Straits Construction’s Mr Loo said “at the end of the day, it depends on resources in the market”.

“Everybody will try to do their utmost best to meet their obligations,” he said. “Having said that, the workers’ condition and whether the borders will be open – whether materials and workers can come in – after the circuit breaker is still a question mark.”

STUCK IN DORMS

Still, Mr Loo said his staff are in touch with a few hundred of his foreign workers to ensure their mental health is fine during these difficult times.

Twenty-five foreign worker dormitories have been declared as isolation areas to stem the outbreak, meaning tens of thousands of workers are barred from leaving their rooms for two weeks.

Workers in all dorms also cannot leave the premises as part of tighter measures imposed on Tuesday.

“I think mental well-being is crucial,” Mr Loo said. “There is a need to make sure workers are well-informed and mentally prepared.”

Mr Lim said his staff have taken to Zoom to address workers’ needs and allay their concerns about not being paid during the circuit breaker.

He said his workers, 40 of whom stay in the Leo Dormitory, prefer to work.

“I told them don’t worry, we will pay you,” he added. “We want you to take this opportunity to rest also, because we expect that two to three months after the lockdown, you will be very busy.”

The concerns are slightly different for Mr Peh, who has one worker with COVID-19. His 120 workers live in Tuas View Dormitory, which has been declared as an isolation area.

Mr Peh’s staff and workers also use Zoom to check in on the patient, who has been moved to a community isolation facility at the Singapore Expo after his condition improved.

“We couldn’t contact him previously, so we were so worried that his handphone battery was flat,” he said.

“We bought a charging adaptor and cable and sent it to the hospital. We found that he had been discharged, so I got my supervisor to send it to Expo.”

“We cannot let the workers feel deserted,” he added.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-construction-projects-delay-manpower-crunch-backlog-12673450?cid=emarsys-cna_20200426_0100_FINAL+CNA+Sunday+newsletter+%280740%29_newsletter_26042020_cna&sc_customer=dc1d123e-7cba-45fc-91c3-3034b7b15349&sc_src=email&sc_llid=114037&sc_lid=105012922&sc_uid=22SJohSqh7

SINGAPORE: All work permit holders and S Pass holders in the construction sector will be placed on mandatory stay-home notices, announced the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in a media release on Saturday (Apr 18).

This will take effect on Apr 20 and end on May 4, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore, said the authorities.

They noted that while the recent rise in number of foreign workers infected with the coronavirus has mostly been concentrated in dormitories, there have been cases at construction worksites.

“Contact tracing suggests that transmissions at common construction worksites may have contributed to the increase in numbers,” said MOM and BCA.

“Thus far, the cases detected among workers living outside the dormitories have been low. All those infected and their close contacts have been isolated.”

Employers may seek exemption from BCA for their workers to carry out essential services such as vector control.

Otherwise, the stay-home notices apply to workers and their dependents in any place of accommodation.

It excludes those staying in dormitories gazetted as isolation areas, as well as those in dormitories as defined in the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act 2015, as special arrangements have already been made for residents in such dormitories.

Employers whose workers are affected by the latest stay-home notice are required to make arrangements for them such as providing food, and ensuring that their addresses and mobile phone numbers registered with MOM are up to date.

Employers are also required to check on the health of their workers daily for reporting to the BCA.

Those who feel unwell are advised to immediately consult a doctor.

MOM said enforcement officers will conduct regular checks on workers to ensure that the requirements of the stay-home notice are kept to.

Strict enforcement action will be taken against errant employers or employees who do not comply, said the ministry, adding that this can include revoking work passes.

“MOM is implementing this requirement on all workers in the construction sector as the highest number of infected cases have come from this sector and worksite transmissions have been a contributing factor,” MOM and BCA said.

“The stay-home notices will help prevent further transmission of the virus between workers in the sector, across all housing types.”

Singapore on Saturday reported 942 new cases of COVID-19 infection, most of which are linked to foreign worker dormitories.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/construction-workers-work-permit-s-pass-stay-home-notice-covid19-12655534?cid=emarsys-cna_20200419_0059_FINAL+CNA+Sunday+newsletter+%280740%29_newsletter_19042020_cna&sc_customer=dc1d123e-7cba-45fc-91c3-3034b7b15349&sc_src=email&sc_llid=139217&sc_lid=104814662&sc_uid=22SJohSqh7

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued 129 stop-work orders to workplaces that were found to neglect safe distancing measures.

MOM has conducted more than 850 workplace inspections since Mar 23. Aside from the stop-work orders, it has also served 260 remedial orders, the ministry said in response to CNA’s queries on Thursday (Apr 2).

More than half of the orders served included improving work from home arrangements, it said.

Stop-work orders require companies to cease operations until they rectify their processes. Under remedial orders, workplaces must take corrective action but are allowed to continue their activities.

Office inspections focused on whether employers implemented work from home arrangements – when employees were still working in offices, even though they could perform their duties and access corporate systems and information from home, MOM said.

“In such instances, we have issued a remedial order to the company to get their staff to work from home, as far as reasonably practicable,” the ministry said.

Besides offices, MOM said it also inspected factories and construction sites to ensure there were measures in place to protect workers unable to work from home.

Employers who do not make facilities available for members of staff to work from home where reasonably practicable, could be jailed or fined, according to an addition to the Infectious Diseases Act published in the Government Gazette on Wednesday.

Persons who contravene the new workplace preventive measures regulations shall also be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 and/or jailed a maximum of six months.

The flexible work arrangements are aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore.

This message was highlighted previously on Tuesday by Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, who pointed out that companies that do not allow telecommuting wherever possible might face stop-work orders or other penalties.

MOM plans to have more than 100 enforcement officers conduct checks on companies, she added.

The Government will take a measured approach to enforcing the penalties by first looking at the firm’s specific circumstances, said Mrs Teo.

“If the company is really not taking it seriously at all, then we have no choice and will not hesitate to issue a stop-work order,” she said, adding that the duration of such an order would depend on factors such as the severity of the case.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-stop-work-from-home-wfh-safe-distancing-office-mom-12603302

SINGAPORE: An SMRT staff member died on Monday (Mar 23) after sustaining “severe injuries” while working at Bishan Depot.

Group Chief Executive Officer Neo Kian Hong said Technical Officer Muhammad Afiq Senawi had been working in a Rolling Stock workshop and was operating a hydraulic press machine when the accident occurred at about 9.20am.

“First-aid was immediately rendered. He was then conveyed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital at about 11.20am.

“We have conveyed our deepest condolences to his family and are rendering support and assistance at this very difficult time,” Mr Neo added.

SMRT said that it is assisting the Land Transport Authority, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the police with the investigations.

The transport operator has called a safety time-out and suspended all similar maintenance works while investigations are ongoing.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that it was “deeply saddened” by the incident, and said that it is working with MOM and the police in their investigations.

It added that a safety timeout and suspension of all similar maintenance works have been imposed at all SMRT depots so that work processes can be thoroughly reviewed.​​​​​​​

LTA said that it would also work with SMRT to extend any necessary assistance to the worker’s family.

According to the SMRT website, its Rolling Stock Depot and Rolling Stock Workshop are where staff members perform maintenance and inspection tasks on trains and components respectively.

In a Facebook post, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the death of 30-year-old Mr Muhammad Afiq, who had been with SMRT for two years, was a loss to the OneTransport family and his colleagues.

“A sad industrial accident at Bishan Depot this morning. Most unfortunate and unnecessary … Safety is always and continues to be our priority. Our hearts are with Afiq’s family, and SMRT has told me it will do all it can to support the family through this difficult period,” he added.

The National Transport Workers’ Union said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened” by Mr Muhammad Afiq’s death.

The union’s executive secretary Melvin Yong said they are in touch with his family to render the necessary assistance and support.

“Safety at the workplace is of paramount importance to our workers and the union will be working closely with SMRT and the relevant agencies to investigate what happened, and to review the current safety measures and safety protocols in place at the train depot,” he added.

This is not the first time an SMRT worker has died as the result of a workplace accident.

In 2016, two SMRT workers were killed by an oncoming train between Pasir Ris and Tampines stations. They were part of a 15-man team sent to check on a track fault about 190m away from Pasir Ris station.

SMRT Trains was fined a record S$400,000 in February 2017 for the safety lapse.

In Dec 2018, an SMRT worker who was carrying out maintenance work near Joo Koon station suffered foot injuries, and later had to have the lower part of his right leg amputated.

According to the Workplace Safety and Health 2019 report, workplace fatalities last year fell to the lowest since 2004, but the rate of injuries climbed to a five-year high.

There were 39 fatalities last year, or 1.1 deaths for every 100,000 workers, a dip from 41 fatalities and a rate of 1.2 in 2018.

Collapse or failure of structure and equipment, vehicular-related incidents and falls from height dominated the top three causes of fatal injuries, with seven cases in each category.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/smrt-bishan-depot-workplace-accident-hydraulic-press-injuries-12567190?cid=emarsys-cna_20200323_2359_FINAL+CNA+Mon+to+Sat+newsletter+%280740%29_newsletter_24032020_cna&sc_customer=dc1d123e-7cba-45fc-91c3-3034b7b15349&sc_src=email&sc_llid=96919&sc_lid=104042085&sc_uid=22SJohSqh7

SINGAPORE – The number of workplace fatalities last year in Singapore fell to a record low, but this improvement was blunted by a rise in major and minor non-fatal injuries, which were mostly caused by slips, trips and falls.

Deaths at the workplace fell to 39 in 2019, or 1.1 per 100,000 workers. This is compared with the 41 deaths in 2018 and also marks the lowest rate of fatalities since 2004, when records were first compiled.

But the number of injuries sustained at work rose, according to data released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday (March 11).

To reduce the rate of injuries, MOM said it will enhance a course for construction workers to include experiential training and make it mandatory by 2022.

It will also work with other low-risk sectors such as food services and retail.

Non-fatal major injuries increased by 5 per cent in 2019 to 629 cases. Major injuries usually involve the loss of a body part or function, and includes amputation, fractures, blindness or conditions that require medical leave of more than 20 days.

Meanwhile, minor injuries, which involve conditions that require medical leave of four days or more, also rose by 8 per cent to 13,111 cases last year.

MOM noted that the top cause for both major and minor injuries was slips, trips and falls, with construction workers, drivers, cleaners and security guards being most prone to major injuries because of this,

Such falls accounted for 34 per cent of major injuries and 28 per cent of minor injuries.

Major injuries also rose in the manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and wholesale and retail trade sectors. Fatalities also doubled in transport and storage, especially water transport.

MOM also found that the fatal injury rate for inexperienced construction workers who worked for less than three years was higher than their more experienced counterparts.

This is especially notable since the number of inexperienced construction workers may rise, with the industry’s projected output set to reach up to $35 billion by 2023.

To better train inexperienced workers, MOM will include an experiential training component in the current construction orientation course on workplace safety and health.

This will use technology such as virtual reality to simulate high-risk situations like falling from heights.

It will target new construction workers and existing staff who failed their two-yearly competency test.

MOM will also step up education and inspection efforts for lower-risk industries, such as accommodation and food services and wholesale and retail trade, to reduce slips, trips and falls among workers – the main cause of non-fatal workplace injuries. For instance, a workplace safety and health module will be made mandatory for cleaners in 2022.

Last year, MOM reached out to about 3,000 cleaners in schools to educate them on workplace safety and health.

Mr Silas Sng, commissioner for workplace safety and health and divisional director of MOM’s occupational safety and health division, said: “To counter the rising trend of non-fatal injuries, companies must conscientiously address slip, trip and fall risks by educating workers and implementing risk control measures.”

In total, MOM conducted 17,000 workplace inspections, which uncovered more than 8,900 contraventions such as obstructed passageways, unguarded openings and unsafe means of access at work sites. It also issued 58 stop-work orders with an average duration of six weeks. Composition fines amounting to a total of $1,426,000 were imposed on close to 1,000 companies.

Plans are also under way to develop the workplace health and safety capabilities of 1,000 union leaders and industrial relations officers by March next year.

Mr Sng added: “The construction industry also needs to take ownership by inculcating safety mindsets and retaining experienced workers, who tend to be more risk-aware. If contractors have to bring in new workers, they will be subject to enhanced safety orientation requirements to level up their workplace safety and health knowledge.”

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/manpower/lowest-number-of-workplace-fatalities-in-2019-but-number-of-injuries-rise