Employers in the construction industry must do their part to ensure that workers are trained, and guidelines and regulations are closely adhered to in crane operation. Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin said this in a written reply to a question in parliament.
SINGAPORE: Employers in the construction industry must do their part to ensure that workers are trained, and guidelines and regulations are closely adhered to in crane operation.
Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin said this in a written reply to a question in parliament by MP for West Coast GRC Ms Foo Mee Har.
Mr Tan said risks must be mitigated and workers are not placed in harm’s way.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and WSH Council have been working closely with the construction industry to improve the safety of crane operations.
Mr Tan said the National Crane Safety Taskforce formed in 2009 has been actively working to improve crane safety at all levels.
Mr Tan noted modest improvements in crane safety for the construction industry.
12 dangerous occurrences were reported in 2012, down from 22 in 2010.
As for crane-related fatalities, there were five in 2012 and three this year. But Mr Tan stressed this is three lives too many.
He said MOM takes a serious view of the recent spate of work site accidents.
MOM will not tolerate employers who contravene safety regulations.
If employers are found to be endangering the lives of their workers, firm enforcement action will be taken against them.
Sounds like common sense, what employer would want unqualified employees working with high dollar equipment and peoples lives at stake.