Brace for Impact:
How Singapore’s New Safety Laws Could Make or Break Your Construction Business
Are you equipped to navigate Singapore’s upcoming stringent safety regulations? Beginning from June 2024, firms will have a 6-month to a year adjustment period as video surveillance becomes a mandatory requirement at construction sites for projects worth $5 million or more. Consequently, safety management will become a vital aspect of your operations. Alternatively, you can join us in our upcoming workshop on the 23rd of June!
Comprising a network of cameras, monitors or display units, and recorders, the video systems will – apart from surveillance – be used to identify workplace safety and health risks, facilitate incident investigations and deter unsafe behavior.
This change is just one part of a broad suite of measures being introduced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Aimed at reducing workplace injuries and deaths in high-risk sectors, the changes will encompass everything from new safety programs for executives to increased safety requirements for government projects. The landscape is evolving, and so must your firm.
Safe Measures Summary by Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
1. MAST (Multi-Agency Workplace Safety Taskforce) retained for developing SAFE (Safety Accountability, Focus and Empowerment) measures.
2. Stricter safety requirements in government tenders (details TBC).
3. Demerit Point System extended to the Manufacturing sector by Oct 2023.
4. Expanded MAST membership by end 2023.
5. Mandatory Video Surveillance for projects ≥ $5mil by Jun 2024.
6. Strengthened WSH Regulations for machinery and dust safety by Jun 2024.
7. Immediate accountability for CEs on serious WSH lapses.
8. Mandatory external audit for companies with major injuries.
9. Top Executive WSH Programme for CEs after serious incidents.
10. Mandatory WSH Programme for high-risk industry leaders by Mar 2024.
11. Enhanced noise surveillance programme initiated by May 2023.
12. Additional WSH support for SMEs through SME Centres by Jun 2023.
13. Annual National WSH Campaign for improved safety reporting by May 2023.
14. Online micro-learning for Safety Orientation Course recertification by Jan 2024.
15. Immediate doubling of minimum Composition Fine for WSH lapse.
Key changes to be aware of include:
1. Video Surveillance at Construction Sites:
Starting June 2024, video surveillance systems will be compulsory at construction sites for projects valued at $5 million or more. The financial responsibility will fall upon companies
“Companies will have to deploy video surveillance systems at construction sites for projects valued at $5 million or more from June 2024, in a bad to improve worker safety.”
2. Increased Safety Requirements for Government Projects:
Safety requirements for government construction projects will be heightened, potentially affecting the tender evaluation process due to the recently implemented safety demerit point system.
3. Tender Evaluation based on Safety Performance:
Contractors with a poor safety record may face disqualification from participating in tenders. Introducing a minimum safety weightage for tender evaluation is being considered, with bonus points awarded during evaluation to firms demonstrating good safety performance.
“For now, requirements that are being considered include disqualifying contractors with a poor safety record from participating in tenders, introducing a minimum safety weightage for tender evaluation, and giving bonus points during evaluation to firms with good safety performance.”
4. Safety Program for Executives (from March 2024):
CEOs and boards of directors of high-risk industry companies, including construction, will be required to attend a half-day safety program starting from March 2024.
5. End of Heightened Safety Period (May 31, 2023):
The heightened safety period will end on May 31, 2023, which had resulted in 70 stop-work orders and almost 1,300 fines totaling over $2.6 million.
The ongoing heightened safety period will end on May 31, 2023, after a three-month extension in February. MOM said that from the start of the heightened safety period till end-April, it issued 70 stop-work orders and close to 1,300 composition fines amounting to more than $2.6 million for offences such as unsafe scaffolds. As at May 8, 25 companies were also banned from hiring new foreign workers for up to three months under heightened safety period rules.”
6. Demerit Points System for Safety Lapses:
Companies accumulating sufficient demerit points for safety lapses will face a ban on hiring new foreign employees for between three months and two years.
“A demerit point system that is currently in place for the construction sector will be extended to the manufacturing sector from October. Under the system, companies that accumulate sufficient demerit points for safety lapses will be barred from hiring new foreign employees for between three months and two years.”
Compliance with these new regulations and avoiding penalties may seem daunting.
This is where Novade can step in to help.
Novade is a leading construction management software solution, designed to help firms like yours adhere to the upcoming safety regulations. By providing a platform to track safety measures, identify risks, and monitor worksite conditions, Novade can assist in maintaining industry-leading safety standards. You can join us for our upcoming workshop where we go more in-depth into how Novade can assist you!
Adapting to new regulations can be challenging, but Novade can make this transition smoother. Here’s why Novade should be your choice:
1. Compliance with Safety Regulations:
Novade offers sophisticated features that help you meet MOM’s requirements. With their partnership with Ascent, Novade supports the installation of video surveillance systems (CCTV system) and facilitate accident investigation, aligning with the upcoming rules. Of which can be view both in-app or on Novade’s web app. Novade provides a platform to drive health and safety performance on the job site.
2. Influence Tender Evaluation:
A good safety record, check your company WSH performance, could soon be a crucial factor in the tender evaluation for government projects. Novade’s solution can help you maintain an excellent safety record, increasing your chances of securing prestigious contracts. Having worked closely with government entities on multiple projects, HDB and LTA projects, Novade is well-versed in the safety standards upheld by them.
3. Avoid Penalties:
With the new demerit points system for safety lapses, it’s crucial to ensure your firm complies with the law. Safety managers can conduct site safety inspections and construction risk assessments and monitor corrective actions, helping to prevent lapses and keep operations smooth and penalty-free.
How demerit points are issued.
The number of demerit points issued to contractors will be based on the severity of the offences committed:
Severity Type of incidents DPs When Potential harm Composition fine 1 Date of fine Partial Stop Work Order (SWO) 5 Date of SWO issued Full Stop Work Order (SWO) 10 Harm Prosecution for Dangerous Occurrences or accidents that led to major injuries or death of one person 25 Date of MOM’s decision to prosecute Severe harm Prosecution for accidents that led to death of more than one person 50 Demerit points for a contractor are calculated by adding the points accumulated from all the worksites under the same contractor.
4. Support During Transition:
As most measures will be rolled out over the next six months to a year, firms need to start adapting now. Novade is prepared to provide necessary support for a seamless transition.
5. Daily Observations to Boost Safety Culture:
Novade allows you to identify safety issues on a daily basis, promoting an enhanced safety culture within your firm. It also enables workers to report hazard observations from mobile devices, fostering safer working practices across projects.
In this new era of safety in Singapore’s construction industry, ensure your firm is not left behind. Discover how Novade can help your firm excel in safety and project management. Join the ranks of firms leading the charge in construction safety today!
Take action now! The future of construction safety is here, and with Novade, you can face it head-on. Stay ahead of the curve, and let’s build a safer industry together.