After 7 deaths, MOM urges safety time-out, tightens enforcement in construction, transport

The latest measures include higher fines, longer stop-work orders and possible curbs on migrant-worker hiring for serious lapses.

The Ministry of Manpower is urging employers to review safety procedures and address gaps in workplace risk controls.

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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has called on companies in the construction industry, as well as the transportation and storage industry, to conduct a voluntary safety time-out from Oct 5 to 18, following seven workplace deaths since last month.

In a Facebook post on Monday (Oct 5), MOM said that the recent deaths in the two sectors were a "grave reminder that workplace safety and health cannot be taken for granted".

MOM urged companies to review their workplace safety and health procedures, strengthen risk controls and address safety gaps.

It added that particular attention should be paid to the safe use of concrete pumps, and measures to prevent vehicles from rolling away, including ensuring that handbrakes are engaged before drivers leave their vehicles and using wheel chocks where appropriate.

Alongside the voluntary safety time-out, MOM said that it would introduce enhanced enforcement measures in both sectors from Oct 5 to Nov 4, "to strengthen deterrence and accountability".

The composition fine for first-time offences will increase from S$2,000 (about US$1,500) to S$3,000, with higher fines for repeat or more serious offences.

For first-time workplace safety offences detected during inspections, the composition fine will be S$3,000 (US$2,350), up from S$2,000.

Higher fines will apply for repeat or more serious offences.

The minimum duration of stop-work orders from also increase from five weeks to eight weeks, while companies may be barred from hiring new migrant workers for three months in "egregious cases" involving serious workplace safety lapses that result in fatal or serious accidents.

The same enhanced measures were introduced nationwide in June , following a spate of workplace deaths then. They were in place from Jun 26 to Jul 31.

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, said on Monday that the recent fatalities have been concentrated in the two industries, which was why MOM was calling on companies in these sectors to conduct a voluntary safety time-out and stepping up enforcement.

"The seven workplace fatalities since September are deeply concerning, and we must act decisively to prevent further loss of lives," he added.

A 22-year-old worker died on Sep 28 after falling from height at a BTO construction site along Tanjong Rhu Road, while two workers died after a platform carrying them fell into the sea at Tuas Port on Sep 22.

MOM's figures reported 21 workplace fatalities in the first half of 2026 , with Singapore's annualised fatal injury rate to 1.1 per 100,000 workers.

Vehicular incidents were the leading cause, accounting for nine deaths. Four of the seven work-related traffic fatalities involved platform workers.

Mr Dinesh said: "I also call on our industry partners and stakeholders, including the labour movement, to reinforce these efforts within their networks.

"Continued vigilance and collective effort will help us strengthen safety practices and build safer workplaces," he added.

MOM said that employers should use this opportunity to engage workers and supervisors on workplace risks and reinforce safe work practices at all levels.

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最新措施包括提高罚款额度、延长停工令，以及对严重违规行为限制雇用外来务工人员。

人力部敦促雇主审查安全规程，并解决工作场所风险控制方面的漏洞。

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新加坡：人力部呼吁建筑业以及运输和仓储业的公司在10月5日至18日期间进行自愿安全停工，此前自上个月以来已发生7起工作场所死亡事故。

人力部周一（10 月 5 日）在 Facebook 上发帖称，这两个行业最近发生的死亡事件“严重提醒我们，工作场所的安全和健康不能被视为理所当然”。

人力部敦促各公司审查其工作场所安全和健康程序，加强风险控制并解决安全漏洞。

报告还补充说，应特别注意安全使用混凝土泵，并采取措施防止车辆溜车，包括确保驾驶员在离开车辆前拉起手刹，并在适当情况下使用车轮挡块。

除了自愿暂停安全措施外，人力部表示，将于 10 月 5 日至 11 月 4 日在这两个领域推出加强执法措施，“以加强威慑和问责”。

初犯罚款将从 2000 新元（约 1500 美元）增加到 3000 新元，再犯或情节更严重的违规行为将处以更高的罚款。

对于在检查中首次发现的工作场所安全违规行为，罚款金额将从 2,000 新元提高到 3,000 新元（2,350 美元）。

屡犯或情节更严重的违法行为将处以更高的罚款。

停工令的最低期限也从五周增加到八周，而对于涉及严重工作场所安全疏忽并导致致命或严重事故的“严重案件”，公司可能会被禁止雇用新的外籍劳工三个月。

继6月份发生一系列工作场所死亡事故后，全国范围内也实施了同样的强化措施。这些措施从6月26日持续到7月31日。

人力部政务部长迪内什·瓦苏·达什周一表示，最近发生的死亡事故集中在这两个行业，因此人力部呼吁这些行业的公司进行自愿安全停工，并​​加强执法力度。

“自9月份以来发生的7起工作场所死亡事故令人深感担忧，我们必须采取果断行动，防止更多生命损失，”他补充道。

9月28日，一名22岁的工人在丹戎禺路一处预购组屋建筑工地从高处坠落身亡；9月22日，两名工人在大士港乘坐的平台坠入海中身亡。

人力部报告称，2026 年上半年共有 21 起工作场所死亡事故，新加坡的年化致命伤害率为每 10 万名工人 1.1 人。

交通事故是主要死因，造成九人死亡。七起与工作相关的交通事故死亡事件中，有四起涉及平台工人。

迪内什先生说：“我也呼吁我们的行业伙伴和利益相关者，包括劳工运动，在其网络中加强这些努力。”

他补充说：“持续的警惕和集体努力将有助于我们加强安全措施，并建立更安全的工作场所。”

人力部表示，雇主应利用这个机会与员工和主管讨论工作场所风险，并在各个层面加强安全工作规范。

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