Ministry of Manpower exposes grave safety lapses at Leading Bio-Energy facility amid concerns over workplace fatalities

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) took to Facebook on Thursday (17 Aug), highlighting severe safety lapses discovered during an inspection of Leading Bio-Energy (S) Pte. Ltd.’s waste disposal facility.

The post detailed that waste materials were perilously stacked against damaged structural columns of the storage shelter.

Such precarious stacking poses a significant risk of causing the entire structure to collapse. This was not the only concern, as the inspection also shed light on other safety infringements such as:

• Absence of traffic management, escalating the risk of vehicular collisions.
• Neglected maintenance of the building’s infrastructure.
• Unsatisfactory housekeeping standards.
• Incorrect procedures in propping up a forklift undergoing repairs.

Given the immediate threat these lapses presented to worker safety, MOM did not hesitate to issue a Stop Work Order.

The order mandates the cessation of all work activities at the facility until the unsafe conditions are rectified.

On top of this directive, Leading Bio-Energy (S) Pte. Ltd. has been slapped with fines totaling S$10,000 for these oversights.

Mr Sebastian Tan, Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate at MOM, was quoted saying, “Safe management of waste stockpile is of paramount importance in workplaces dealing with large quantities of hazardous waste materials.”

He added, “The negligence shown by Leading Bio-Energy (S) Pte. Ltd. is a glaring reflection on its top management’s approach towards worker safety. MOM remains committed to executing inspections of high-risk workplaces and will unhesitatingly impose strict enforcement actions against those who neglect the safety and wellbeing of workers.”

The Ministry’s post also carried a robust appeal to all employers, urging them to give utmost importance to the safety of their employees.

It emphasized the strict adherence to workplace safety regulations. Workers were also encouraged to actively ensure the safety of their co-workers.

MOM further stressed the importance of community vigilance. If any individual notices unsafe practices in workplaces, they are empowered to report them via SnapSafe at www.go.gov.sg/snapsafe.

A tragic incident at the Tuas Port Phase 2 construction worksite on 29 July marks the 17th workplace death in Singapore this year, following a year of increasing workplace fatalities with a recorded total of 46 in 2022—the highest number since 2016 when there were 66 fatalities.

The fatality rate rose to 1.3 per 100,000 workers last year, this was a notable increase from the previous year’s rate of 1.1 per 100,000 workers in 2021.

https://www.facebook.com/sgministryofmanpower/posts/pfbid02QH3J6SckuDK1dJ8Qzf9BkcDZ8sNxHvPAbXVUqS6V9Sd2DUAxAMm7K26yWrkFEGjHl