The number of workplace deaths due to falls from height has significantly decreased in the last 10 years but it remains the leading cause of injuries, said Minister of State for Manpower and National Development Zaqy Mohamad.
He was speaking at the annual Work at Height Symposium on 14 November 2019 at ITE College East.
In 2009, there were 24 deaths due to falls from height. In 2018, the number reduced to eight deaths.
According to Mr Zaqy, the industries that are most prone to falls from height risks are construction, marine and manufacturing.
“This year to date, we have four fatal falls from height. All of them could have been prevented if adequate control measures were in place. Our stakeholders must continue to sustain the momentum in fall prevention efforts so that we can achieve our target of zero falls,” he said.
In September this year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) mounted targeted enforcement to help companies manage the risks of working at heights.
Since then, 250 companies in the construction, manufacturing, and marine industries have gone through MOM inspections.
MOM took a total of 548 enforcement actions, including stop-work orders and 80 fines amounting to $91,000.
Some of the top contraventions were failures to cover or guard open sides or openings, provide safe access, and ensure platforms were provided with toe-boards and guardrails.
“The findings show that we need to do more to tackle this perennial hotspot. On MOM’s part, we will sustain the momentum of our enforcement operations with a second round of targeted inspections planned in February 2020. But MOM’s efforts alone will not be enough. The industry also needs to take greater responsibility in protecting our workers and be mindful in managing works at height,” said Mr Zaqy.
He added that the industry can leverage technology, build workplace safety and health capabilities through training, and enhance focus on workplace health.
“As long as we continue to make concerted efforts to engage and educate stakeholders on work at height risks, I am confident that we will be able to achieve our WSH 2028 goal of reducing and sustaining our fatality rate to below 1 per 100,000 workers,” he said.
