Amidst an increase in workplace fatalities, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM“) announced the implementation of a Heightened Safety Period (“HSP“) on 1 September 2022 as an urgent call to employers to prioritise safety and minimise workplace fatalities. The HSP was due to end on 28 February 2023, but was later extended by three months to end on 31 May 2023 instead.
On 23 May 2023, MOM confirmed that the HSP will not be further extended. Going forward, the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety Taskforce (“MAST“) will retain some HSP measures and implement new SAFE (Safety Accountability, Focus and Empowerment) measures to strengthen workplace safety and health (“WSH“) ownership on a sustained basis at the sectoral, company, and worker levels.
These measures will be implemented progressively over the next six to 12 months to allow for industry consultation and lead time for companies where required.
For advice on how the new SAFE measures may apply to your company, please contact our partners from our Employment Law and Construction and Projects practices.
For more information, click here to read the full Legal Update.
