SINGAPORE: Repeat offenders made up"slightly more" than half of the 558 firms penalised for workplace safety breaches in a recent enforcement operation, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy MohamadThis was despite a six-month heightened safety period, from Sep 1 to Feb 28 next year, and"repeated calls" by the Ministry of Manpower , he said., which were the leading cause of major workplace injuries in the first half of the year.
In particular, under the StartSAFE programme initiated by the WSH Council, small and medium enterprises have access to workplace safety and health consultants who can provide professional advice and hands-on guidance.Labour woes, tighter deadlines due to COVID-19 contributing to workplace deaths: Industry players, expertsBefore Sep 1, there were about 4.5 fatal workplace accidents a month on average. This fell to about two a month after the heightened safety period was put in place, he said.
Two firms were debarred from employing new migrant workers for up to three months, and their CEOs had to"personally account" to MOM to take responsibility for the rectification, said Mr Zaqy,