The recent spate of worksite accidents that claimed five lives and injured one within the past two weeks is "cause for much sadness and grave concern", said MP Yeo Guat Kwang, who is director for Workplace Safety & Health at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

On Jan 22, two workers fell to their deaths at a construction site along Fusionopolis Way. The next day, another worker died after falling 19 storeys at a Sengkang construction site.

Mr Yeo, who is also chairman of the Migrant Workers' Centre, said in a media statement on Monday that while workers have undergone a mandatory safety orientation course, safety should never be taken for granted. "It is the employer's duty to ensure that proper safety measures are in place and safety protocols are observed at all times and workers must also remain alert and practise caution at all times while at the worksite."

Mr Yeo urged employers to carry out comprehensive risk assessments and enforce safety measures, and suggested implementing safety programmes and giving incentives for workers who identify and report lapses. "We must inculcate a spirit of workplace safety and health," he said. He added that the Migrant Workers' Centre will provide the affected foreign workers with assistance and care, should their employers fail to or are unable to do so.