MOM urges construction and transport firms to conduct safety time-out after seven deaths
The Ministry of Manpower has called on companies in the construction and transport sectors to hold a voluntary safety time-out from Oct 5 to 18 following seven workplace fatalities since September. Enhanced enforcement measures, including higher fines and longer stop-work orders, will also be in pla
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is urging companies in the construction and transportation and storage industries to conduct a voluntary safety time-out from Oct 5 to 18, following seven workplace deaths since last month. In a Facebook post on Monday (Oct 5), MOM said the recent fatalities were a "grave reminder that workplace safety and health cannot be taken for granted".
MOM asked companies to review their workplace safety and health procedures, strengthen risk controls and address safety gaps. Particular attention should be paid to the safe use of concrete pumps and measures to prevent vehicles from rolling away, including ensuring handbrakes are engaged before drivers leave their vehicles and using wheel chocks where appropriate.
Alongside the voluntary safety time-out, MOM said it would introduce enhanced enforcement measures in both industries from Oct 5 to Nov 4 "to strengthen deterrence and accountability". The composition fine for first-time offences will increase from S$2,000 to S$3,000, with higher fines for repeat or more serious offences. The minimum duration of stop-work orders will increase from five weeks to eight weeks, while companies may be barred from hiring new migrant workers for three months in "egregious cases" involving serious lapses that result in fatal or serious accidents.
Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, said on Monday that the recent fatalities had been concentrated in the two industries, which was why MOM was calling for the safety time-out and stepping up enforcement. "The seven workplace fatalities since September are deeply concerning, and we must act decisively to prevent further loss of lives," he added.
A 22-year-old worker died on Sep 28 after falling from height at a construction site along Tanjong Rhu Road, while two workers died after a platform carrying them fell into the sea at Tuas Port on Sep 22. MOM's figures showed 21 workplace fatalities in the first half of 2026, with Singapore's annualised fatal injury rate at 1.1 per 100,000 workers. Vehicular incidents were the leading cause, accounting for nine deaths, and four of the seven work-related traffic fatalities involved platform workers.
The same enhanced measures were introduced nationwide in June, following a previous spate of workplace deaths, and were in place from Jun 26 to Jul 31. Mr Dinesh called on industry partners and stakeholders, including the labour movement, to reinforce these efforts within their networks, adding: "Continued vigilance and collective effort will help us strengthen safety practices and build safer workplaces."
