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Nationwide Voluntary Safety Time-Out Among Enhanced Workplace Safety Measures

Workplace safety and health

1.           Over the past four weeks, seven workers lost their lives in five workplace incidents across different sectors. The recent fatalities occurred across different industries and circumstances, and do not point to any single underlying cause. This brings the total number of workplace fatalities to 21 so far this year, compared with 18 over the same period last year.  The close succession of incidents is a cause for concern and highlights the need for continued vigilance and adherence to workplace safety requirements.

 

2.           To reinforce workplace safety standards and strengthen industry vigilance, with the support of MAST1 agencies, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will implement a suite of enhanced workplace safety measures.

 

Nationwide Safety Time-Out

 

3.           MOM will call for a nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out for two weeks starting today (26 June 2026). Employers should use the Safety Time-Out to review work processes, reinforce risk controls, engage workers and supervisors on workplace risks, and address safety gaps where necessary. Attention should be paid to vehicle-related activities and individual worker lapses, and immediate response following an accident so that appropriate rescue or medical assistance can be rendered to the victim. 

 

Enhanced Enforcement Measures

 

4.           MOM will maintain stepped-up inspections to ensure that workplace risks are being managed appropriately and that workplace safety requirements are complied with. To strengthen deterrence and accountability, MOM will also implement the following measures:

 

  • Increase the composition fine quantum for workplace safety offences detected during inspections from $2,000 to $3,000 for first-time offences, with higher composition fines applying for repeat or more serious offences

 

  • Increase the minimum duration of Stop-Work Orders (SWO) from five weeks to eight weeks for companies with workplace safety lapses warranting a SWO;

 

  • Debar companies from hiring new migrant workers for 3 months in egregious cases involving serious workplace safety lapses resulting in fatal or serious accidents.

These enhanced measures are intended to strengthen compliance with workplace safety requirements, reinforce employer accountability for workplace safety outcomes, and encourage the proactive management of workplace risks. These enhanced measures will take effect from today till 31 July. It will be extended if safety outcomes do not improve. 

 

Maintaining Strong Workplace Safety Standards

 

5.           Employers are responsible for ensuring that adequate risk controls, safe work procedures and supervision arrangements are in place. Company leaders should regularly review workplace risks, ensure that workplace safety requirements are adhered to, and foster a culture where workplace safety remains a priority across all levels of the organisation. Supervisors and workers also play an important role in identifying and addressing workplace risks early. Workers should remain vigilant and promptly raise concerns when they encounter unsafe situations or practices.

 

6.           MOM will continue to monitor workplace safety performance closely and work with industry partners, unions, and workers to strengthen workplace safety standards, and improve workplace safety outcomes.

 

FOOTNOTE

  1. The Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST) was formed in September 2023 to strengthen workplace safety and health outcomes in higher-risk sectors through coordinated enforcement, engagement and capability-building efforts across government agencies. MAST is composed of the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of National Development, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health, the Labour Movement, and the Workplace Safety and Health Council Industry Committees.