So far this year, 22 workers have been killed in workplace accidents, compared to 18 in the same period last year.
Of those deaths, 10 occurred in the construction industry.
The most recent accident happened at a construction site on Saturday, when a worker fell four storeys to his death. (See report on right.)
West Coast GRC MP Patrick Tay, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Manpower, thinks the statistics show a worrying trend.
He said: “Unlike previous years, the type and nature of accidents causing deaths are varied these first three months. There are a variety of reasons (for the deaths) but human error is one main cause. It could be due to complacency, carelessness and rushing to do things and complete work.”
REVIEW
In light of the spate of deaths, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council yesterday urged the industries to review safety procedures at work immediately.
It will work with the Singapore Contractors Association and Association of Singapore Marine Industries to conduct a Safety Time Out this month on all construction and marine work activities.
WSH Council chairman Heng Chiang Gnee said: “We are saddened by the loss of 22 lives. These workers did not make it home.
“These accidents could have been prevented if risk assessments were conducted effectively and necessary measures to eliminate or mitigate risks were implemented.”
linheng@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 5, 2016.
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