New rules to protect workers handling combustible dust, higher-risk machinery

Checks will be conducted to ensure compliance with measures: Zaqy Mohamad

- Sharon Salim

From Jan 1, 2025, companies must follow new rules to ensure safer use of higher-risk machinery and combustible dust.

Following a 2021 Tuas explosion that killed three workers, suppliers and manufacturers dealing with combustible dust must label related packages or containers to communicate its dangers and how to use it safely, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Nov 29.

The accident was linked to a mixer machine that exploded in a workshop on the first floor of a building in Tuas Avenue, injuring another seven employees working for Stars Engrg, a company that makes fire-retardant wraps.

Factory occupiers must also inform the ministry and landlords if they are handling specified combustible dust at or above the threshold quantity set out in the regulations.

For instance, a company handling plastic combustible dust weighing 100kg and above must notify MOM at least a month before starting its use in the facility.

Another enhanced safety measure that was announced on Nov 29 is the expansion of the list of higher-risk machinery, which now includes the industrial use of mixer, cutter and packaging machines.

Others in the updated list are sheet benders and sheet rollers, lathes (cutting tools) and milling machines, and food processors.

Existing duties under the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act that relate to manufacturers, suppliers, installers and modifiers of these additional classes of higher-risk machinery will be applied.