Despite a decline in work activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore recorded 14 workplace fatalities from 1 January to 17 April 2020, compared to nine in the same period last year.
Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad gave the update at the virtual National Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Campaign 2020 on 27 April 2020.
The industries where these fatalities occurred include construction, manufacturing, facilities management, land transport, logistics and marine.
“This worrying trend reinforces the need for employers and workers to make WSH a priority with efforts to improve it even during this difficult time,” he said.
Mr Zaqy shared three ways employers can improve on WSH.
First, he urged employers to also focus on workers’ health, and not only their safety.
“We have witnessed how the formation of a COVID-19 cluster at a workplace can cripple a company’s operations overnight. This can be a painful and sombre lesson for the employers on how the well-being of their workers can significantly impact their business operations,” said Mr Zaqy.
He advised employers to share with workers the WSH Council’s Campaign CARE Kit, which he believes contains useful health tips and reminders.
Second, Mr Zaqy shared that employers need to deepen WSH ownership in their companies by improving WSH systems and processes during the lull COVID-19 period.
“This pandemic highlighted more vividly the need for employers and employees alike to stay united, show mutual care, and trust that each of us will play our part to fight this virus … With the closure of non-essential workplaces, this is also an opportune time for workers to acquire new WSH skills through training,” he said. Doing so will prepare workers for work demands when operations resume at the workplace, added Mr Zaqy.
Third, Mr Zaqy encouraged all employers and workers to continue with transformation efforts by exploring and tapping on technologies to improve WSH performance.
“We are already operating in a new norm where technology is necessary for daily business operations. When the crisis is over, companies who embrace technologies will recover faster than those that did not,” said Mr Zaqy.
