Complacency and safety violations lead to a significant rise in fatalities, prompting stricter enforcement.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported a troubling increase in fatalities within Singapore’s construction sector, with numbers tripling in the second half of 2024. Fatalities surged to 15 from just five in the first half of the year. The ministry attributed many of these incidents to lack of basic safety measures or non-compliance with existing regulations.
Rising Complacency and Lack of Accountability
MOM highlighted that the rise in fatalities pointed to a growing sense of complacency among companies, who neglected workplace safety protocols, potentially in an effort to meet project deadlines, especially during the festive season. The ministry emphasized that safety should never be compromised, regardless of time constraints or other pressures.
Enforcement Actions and Consequences
In response to this alarming trend, MOM ramped up its safety enforcement efforts, conducting over 400 inspections in October and November. These inspections led to more than S$300,000 in fines and 13 stop-work orders. MOM issued a clear warning that it has a zero tolerance policy towards violations and promised even stronger actions if the situation does not improve.
