INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS (Measures to reduce)

Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for Labour what at the measures taken by his Ministry to further reduce industrial accidents in the construction industry; (b) what is the basis for carrying out inspection of construction work-sites by inspectors from his Ministry; and (c) how often are the inspections made.

The Minister for Labour (Mr Lee Yock Suan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the measures taken by my Ministry to reduce industrial accidents in the construction industry include, firstly, the enforcement of safety and health provisions at worksites and, secondly, the training of construction workers, supervisors and members of safety committees.

In both enforcement and training, my Ministry pays special attention to the provision and use of safe working platforms, overhead shelters and barricades at worksites. This is to prevent the two major types of accidents, namely, those of workers falling from heights and being struck by falling objects. In addition, we are promoting self-regulation at worksites by safety supervisors and safety committees. These measures have helped to reduce the number of worksite accidents from 1,427 in 1985 to 1,090 in 1986. As a result, the accident frequency rate dropped from 5.5 accidents per million man-hours worked in 1985 to 5.0 in 1986. The number of fatal accidents fell from 42 in 1985 to 26 in 1986.

Worksites are inspected by my Ministry's inspectors on the basis that the more hazardous ones are inspected more frequently. For example, high-rise buildings under construction are inspected as frequently as once a fortnight, while MRT tunnels under construction are inspected more frequently, about twice a week.

Frequent inspections are also made on worksites of recalcitrant contractors with unsatisfactory safety records.

The following question stood on the Order Paper:

Mr Chew Heng Ching: To ask the Minister for Community Development if he is satisfied with the work performed by the Feedback Unit.

Mr Speaker: Question 10 has been postponed to 24th March. Dr Koh, Question 11.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, in asking Question 11, I declare my pecuniary interest.