Zaqy Mohamad on safety measures for demolition work and penalties for infringement

There is an Approved Code of Practice for the safe demolition of buildings and structures in Singapore. All companies involved in such work have to train their workers on the demolition process, which includes identifying structural issues that may pose risks. Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said this in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 4) in reply to an MP’s question on a recent accident at a demolition site in Tanjong Pagar in which a worker was killed. Mr Zaqy said the Ministry of Manpower will look into whether additional measures are needed and release its findings after investigations into the case are complete. He also said chief executives of companies are required to personally account to MOM for serious workplace safety and health lapses, as was the case for this incident. Chief executives and the board of directors of all companies in higher-risk industries are also required to attend a new Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) programme on how to meet their responsibilities and develop their firms’ WSH capabilities.