COS 2024: Workplace Safety & Health

FY2024 MOM COS — “WORKPLACE SAFETY & HEALTH” BY MELVIN YONG (RADIN MAS SMC) ON 4 MAR 2024

1. Mr Chairman, over the past three years, the spotlight has been on workplace safety and health (WSH), ever since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a spike in the number of workplace fatalities and injuries. I filed numerous PQs and raised two adjournment motions on the need to keep workers and workplaces safe.

2. I was therefore happy to hear from MOM that the annual workplace fatality rate has dropped to 0.99 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2023, five years ahead of our WSH 2028 goal. This was only possible through the collective efforts of the tripartite partners and buy-in from both workers and supervisors on the ground to engender safer work environments.

3. But we cannot rest on our laurels, as it only takes a momentary lapse and fatalities will spike again. How does MOM intend to build on this positive trend to ensure safer and healthier workplaces moving forward? Can MOM share how are the respective sectors doing in terms of major workplace injuries?

4. In October 2023, the workplace safety demerit point system was extended to the manufacturing sector. Has this move been effective, and can MOM consider extending this to other high-risk sectors?

5. Lastly, I hope that MOM will consider my repeated calls for there to be a mandatory WSH representative in every company, regardless of size and industry. Workplace safety and health must be a foremost concern and priority in every company.