From 1 October 2022, MOM will introduce a new harmonised disqualification criteria and enhancements to the demerit point system (DPS).
Disqualification framework
MOM will introduce a new harmonised set of disqualification criteria across all public sector construction tenders. Contractors with poor WSH performance will be temporarily disqualified from participating in the tenders.
How it works
Main contractors and first-level subcontractors will be temporarily disqualified from public sector construction tenders for 3 months following:
- Entry into MOM’s Business Under Surveillance programme (BUS) which occurs when systemic workplace breaches are uncovered.
OR
- Accumulation of 25 demerit points (DPs) or more under MOM’s DPS.
Demerit point system
An enhanced demerit point system will also be introduced, where the threshold for issuing demerit points will be lowered. This means that more demerit points will be issued for WSHA breaches and errant companies with consistently poor WSH performance will reach the penalty thresholds more quickly. After which, they will be debarred from hiring foreign employees for up to 2 years.
Accumulation of points under enhanced DPS
| Severity |
Type of incidents |
DPs |
When |
| Potential harm |
Composition fine |
1 |
Date of fine |
| Partial Stop Work Order (SWO) |
5 |
Date of SWO issued |
| Full Stop Work Order (SWO) |
10 |
| Harm |
Prosecution for Dangerous Occurrences or accidents that led to major injuries or death of one person |
25 |
Date of MOM’s decision to prosecute |
| Severe harm |
Prosecution for accidents that led to death of more than one person |
50 |
Debarment from hiring of foreign employees
| No. of DPs accumulated within an 18 month period |
Duration of debarment from hiring of foreign employees |
| 1 to 24 |
Nil |
| 25 to 49 |
3 months |
| 50 to 74 |
6 months |
| 75 to 99 |
1 year |
| 100 to 124 |
2 years |
| 125 and above |
2 years - renewal not allowed |