Inadequate safety systems found at 9 construction sites where workers died

They are among 14 construction sites that had worker fatalities in second half of 2024

- Kok Yufeng

Of the 14 construction sites where workers died in the second half of 2024, nine were found to have had inadequate safety management systems, posing an imminent danger to those working there.

As a result, these sites were ordered to stop work, and were allowed to resume only after undertaking remedial measures, such as reviewing their safety systems, said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad.

Giving these details in Parliament on Jan 7 in response to questions from five MPs about what was described as a worrying rise in fatal accidents here, Mr Zaqy called for the construction sector to step up on safety.

He also urged greater vigilance as the Chinese New Year period approaches and firms face time pressure to complete their projects.

At the same time, he asked for time to be given to the industry to respond to the suite of measures that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rolled out in 2024 to reduce the number of worker deaths and injuries here.

These measures include requiring video surveillance systems to be installed at larger project sites, and placing more weight on safety considerations during public construction tender evaluations.

"I assure members that we are doing all we can," Mr Zaqy said.