SAFETY MEASURES AT CONSTRUCTION WORKSITES (Surprise raids)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Lim Boon Heng: To ask the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour why it is necessary to conduct surprise raids at construction worksites in order to enforce safety legislation and whether such raids have resulted in a significant improvement of safety measures at construction worksites.

Mr Speaker: Mr Lim Boon Heng.

Encik Saidi Haji Shariff (Kaki Bukit): Question No 1, Sir.

The Minister of State for Labour (Dr Wong Kwei Cheong) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, surprise inspections are conducted on contractors who have unsatisfactory safety records or have shown an indifferent attitude towards safety at worksites. This is necessary to impress upon such contractors the need to rectify unsafe conditions before workers are hurt or killed. Many of the worksites raided were found to have unsafe conditions. Hence, surprise raids on these contractors are necessary and will be continued.

There is improvement of safety measures at construction worksites as a result of such raids. Contractors are taking steps to improve safety provisions so that they will not be the targets of future raids. Safety personnel at the worksites have also indicated that contractors are more receptive to their proposals and suggestions to improve safety measures.

Mr Liew Kok Pun (Boon Teck): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister of State for Labour what measures will be taken to reduce accidents in the construction industry?

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry will take the following measures to reduce accidents in the construction industry.

(a) Amending the Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction Regulations to make further requirements on the provision of safe working platforms, safe access to workplaces and proper overhead shelters. These amendments will indirectly encourage and promote the use of metal scaffoldings. The use of metal scaffoldings will also have the effect of changing the method of construction. Construction will be carried out inwards from properly erected scaffoldings and working platforms. This will help to prevent many of the accidents resulting from workers falling from heights and workers being struck by falling objects.

(b) The Ministry will also continue with its programme of stringent enforcement at construction worksites. It will also continue to conduct surprise inspections and swoops on worksite recalcitrant contractors.

(c) Finally, the Ministry will continue with its programme of safety mass orientation for workers in the construction industry. This mass orientation will acquaint existing and new workers with the hazards of the industry and the remedial measures.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister of State say whether any contractors have been prosecuted as a result of the surprise checks and, if so, how many?

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the raids were started last year, a total of 76 worksites have been raided. In 1980, four stop-work orders were issued, 68 offences were compounded and a total of $8,525 were collected as fines. In 1981, a total of 12 stop-work orders were issued, 50 offences were compounded and a total of $10,300 in fines were collected.

Mr Jeyaretnam: None was prosecuted?

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong: None. Mr Ho See Beng;