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Today an Australian Construction Safety training company commended a recently announced initiative of the Singapore government. The “Manpower Minister” Lim Swee Say recently introduced new regulations that will apply to all parties involved in larger construction projects with contract values over $10 million.
The regulations are to be referred to as “Design For Safety” and will take effect in August this year. The Singaporean Manpower Ministry (MOM) will work with the industry to train 1,000 professionals in Design for Safety by 2018.
Peter Cutforth, director of the training company Urban E-Learning, based in Brisbane, Australia, commended the move saying: “In such a densely urban society as Singapore, this is a strong move to increase the safety within the construction industry in that country”.
Singapore’s target death rate for the sector is 1.8 deaths per 100,000 employees, which would represent a drop from the current rate of 5.5.
Mr Cutforth said: “In Australia, our deaths per 100 employees rate in the construction sector is around the 3 mark, so for Singapore to aim for such a large reduction in only 3 years whilst commendable, will be challenging.”
“The industry is notorious for presenting difficult and often rapidly changing, unpredictable, and dangerous environments for its workers.” He said.
‘Real Estate Developers of Singapore’ and ‘Singapore Contractors Association Limited’ will develop a site orientation and induction programme about WSH for workers, as part of the new “Design For Safety” program.
“In Australia, construction workers are required to undergo “White Card” construction induction training before they are permitted on site”. Cutforth stated, “…However the emphasis is always on the Site Manager to ensure that proper on-site orientations and regular tool-box refresher training takes place, in order to keep safety top-of-mind.”
Mr. Cutforth’s company provides White Card training online nationally and to overseas residents looking to come and work in Australia. The White Card is valid in all Australian States including NSW.
Release ID: 86476