SINGAPORE – Recent cases of workplace deaths were mainly due to a combination of individual negligence and a lack of risk control measures, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Monday.

Urging employers to practise greater vigilance and ownership over workplace safety and health, the ministry added that it will not hesitate to hold employers and individuals accountable for lapses.

In a Facebook post, it cited two cases – the Tanjong Pagar structure collapse on June 15 that killed a 20-year-old Indian national, and the death of a 33-year-old driver, also an Indian national, at a Jurong West worksite on July 10.

“The lack of control measures at a demolition worksite led to the collapse of a wall which killed a worker. In a separate case, a driver was fatally struck by a reversing wheel loader,” MOM said, of the two examples.

“Had the right safety measures been in place, and had greater care been taken to ensure a safe work environment, these fatalities could have been prevented.”

There have been at least 16 workplace deaths in 2023 so far.

There were 46 fatalities in 2022 – the highest annual figure since 2016, when there were 66 deaths.

To deal with the spike in workplace deaths, MOM introduced enhanced enforcement measures in June 2022.

These included doubling the composition fines for each workplace safety and health lapse, from a minimum of $1,000 to $2,000.

Companies that have been issued stop-work orders or had workers who suffered major injuries will also have to engage external auditors to review current systems.

Chief executives of companies also have to personally account for lapses that led to serious or fatal workplace accidents.

MOM said it will continue to “strictly enforce” these measures, and also step up inspections.

In September 2022, it imposed a six-month heightened safety period in a bid to curb the number of workplace fatalities.

This was originally slated to end on Feb 28, 2023, but was eventually extended till May 31.

Mr Silas Sng, commissioner for workplace safety and health, said: “Each fatality serves as reminder of the severe consequences when workplace safety and health are not prioritised.

“We must not have a repeat of the spate of accidents in 2022. MOM will hold responsible parties fully accountable if they fail to protect the safety and well-being of workers.”