SINGAPORE - From next April, crane operators aged 50 and above will need to go for health checks to make sure that they remain fit to carry out their job.

Those aged 70 and over will also have to take additional medical tests, the Manpower Ministry announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Currently, only those aged 60 and above must go for health checks.

Minister of State for Manpower Mr Sam Tan told a crane safety symposium that the moves will "enable crane operators to identify early signs of ill health".