Ministry of Manpower (MOM) officials conducted an enforcement operation on an unnamed firm on Tuesday as part of the government’s efforts to step up workplace vehicular safety. Code-named “Operations Roadrunner,” over 250 inspections are planned over eight weeks.
“MOM’s enforcement efforts are not simply to catch errant workers and employers from doing the wrong things, but more to teach them how to do the right things on safety and health hazards. So this is an inspection and education operation to create greater awareness among workers and employer,” said Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan, who joined Tuesday’s operation.
There were 287 vehicular work injuries during the first five months this year, according to government figures. Six incidents were fatal, and vehicular incidents were the highest contributor to workplace fatalities during this period.
MOM conducted over 400 inspections of warehouses, storage yards, factories and construction sites over the first five months of the year. A fifth of inspections uncovered “poor traffic management practices.” The ministry said the main lapses were a lack of segregation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and poor key control of vehicles, which can lead to unauthorised or improper use of vehicles such as forklifts. More than 600 enforcement actions, ranging from composition fines to legal prosecution were taken.
“The recent spate of vehicle related incidents is worrying and clearly shows that more is needed to promote good practices. I urge employers to ensure that vehicular risks are assessed, mitigated and communicated to workers,” said Tan.
In a speech last April, he identified onsite vehicular safety as one of three “priority areas” to help improve workplace safety and health standards (WSH) for 2017. He said the government is launching a “Managing Onsite Vehicular Safety” (MOVeS) – an onsite compliance assistance programme, following a pilot test last year. WSH consultants will visit companies to assess work premises and guide them in developing and implementing onsite traffic safety management plans. A vehicular safety seminar is also planned later this year.
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