A series of Manpower Ministry inspections which began in May found 107 work-at-heights safety lapses, including unsafe scaffolding and lack of barriers to prevent falling. Eight worksites were ordered to stop work, and 43 fines totalling $25,000 were meted out.

This is the first enforcement operation since new regulations on work-at-heights came into force in the same month. Almost 300 inspections have been made of worksites in construction, marine and manufacturing sectors. The exercise will end this month.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Manpower Hawazi Daipi announced the enforcement operation's results at the launch of the Singapore Contractors Association Limited's annual Construction Safety, Health and Security Campaign on Monday morning.

In his speech at the event, Mr Hawazi also recognised the efforts of construction firms in dealing with the recent haze, from providing masks to workers and monitoring their health, to having breaks from outdoor work when required.