SINGAPORE - The workplace safety record for marine industries has improved, with zero fatalities since September 2022. This is down from five fatalities recorded in the first eight months of that year, or an average of 0.6 fatalities a month.
A six-month heightened safety period was imposed by the Ministry of Manpower on Sept 1, 2022, after a spate of work-related deaths and injuries earlier in the year, and will run till February 2023.
The monthly average number of major injuries in marine industries has also more than halved, from 1.5 before the heightened safety period to 0.7 from September to November.
These improved numbers were announced by Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad on Wednesday at a seminar organised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and the Association of Singapore Marine Industries.
He also launched revised guidelines on the implementation of a WSH management system for marine industries.
Citing the improvements in safety records, Mr Zaqy said: “This shows that when companies get serious and commit to WSH, accidents can be prevented.”
Nationwide, the average number of workplace fatalities per month in 2022 fell from 4.5 in the January to August period to 2.5 in the September to December period, he said.
Noting that there were four workplace fatalities in December, Mr Zaqy added that the commitment to keeping workers safe and healthy has to be sustained.
He urged companies to constantly update their WSH management systems to account for risks, and properly implement risk-control measures and safe work procedures. Firms should also ensure workers know the necessary steps required to prevent accidents.
The revised guidelines for marine industries call for top management and workers to assume greater responsibility for workplace safety and health.
Courses for top management will be revamped to include training on approved codes of practice, and a new training video on these codes will be introduced to further guide managers on the necessary steps they should take to fulfil their legal duties, Mr Zaqy said at the seminar.
The revised guidelines also aim to provide guidance to companies and their workers on following safety and health measures. These include urging ground staff to be alert to any safety lapses and to stop work and report safety risks immediately.
Companies are also encouraged to have a robust management system to ensure a sustained reduction in workplace fatalities and injuries.
Mr Zaqy said: “It is crucial that we take time to take care of our safety and health. We must always prioritise WSH and not be complacent, skimping on good safety and health practices.”
