However, I noted that under the changes, employers no longer need to report all accidents, including minor ones.

Employers will now have to report only work accidents that result in death, or when an injured employee is unfit for work for three consecutive days, or hospitalised for at least 24 hours.

Removal of the statutory reporting requirement for minor injuries appears to be a regression from the previous revision to the Act in 2006, which mandated employers to report all workplace-related accidents and injuries.

The rationale of simplifying reporting requirements to reduce compliance costs is weak, considering that the cost of safety is insignificant compared to the damage arising from incidents.

Rather than benefiting them, relaxed reporting requirements are, in fact, a disservice to employees by their employers, who may now think accidents are tolerable, as long as they are 'minor'.

All accidents, including minor ones, are unacceptable and should be prevented. Such reporting encourages proper disclosure of a company's safety performance, enhances accountability, and promotes transparency of corporate decisions where they may affect occupational health and safety.

Reporting of all accidents is an important component in identifying problem areas and preventing future mishaps.

To promote a culture of safety and achieve the Manpower Ministry's target of halving the number of workplace accidents by 2015, requirements for accident reporting ought to be strengthened rather than streamlined.

Faye Chiam Pui Hoon (Ms)