Harsher Penalties for Companies 14 June 2022

Companies in Singapore with poor workplace safety and health performance will face harsher penalties, effective 14 June

Companies in Singapore with poor workplace safety and health performance will face harsher penalties, effective 14 June

After the sharp rise in workplace fatalities this year 2022, companies with poor workplace safety and health performance will face harsher penalties from Tuesday (Jun 14) said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The current composition fines for offences observed during MOM inspections now are $1000 and this will be doubled from to S$2,000 on average, up to a maximum sum of S$5,000.

Also companies that have been issued with stop-work orders or companies that have had major injuries will be required to engage external auditors. These external auditors will have to conduct a thorough review of their processes.

According to the quote by Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad "We must move upstream and nip the problem in the bud before a fatality takes place,"

The fatal accidents were mainly in the manufacturing, construction and marine shipyard sectors, and 65 per cent of the fatalities and major injuries involved workers from small- and medium-sized enterprises

The Manpower Ministry has stepped up enforcement, almost doubling inspections this quarter compared to the same period last year with more than 1400 inspections conducted since April 2022 and with about 3300 enforcement actions issued.

The focus has been on work at height, machinery and vehicular safety.

The authorities will also place more accountability on company management by bringing forward the implementation of the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Company Director’s WSH Duties. This will be have reasonably practicable measures taken by company leaders will be assessed. The courts can also take into account whether companies heeded guidance set out in the ACOP in deciding judgments and penalties.