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SINGAPORE – About 140 companies have been ordered to halt their operations at the site after serious violations of the Covid-19 safe workplace management measures introduced in March last year.
Another 280 companies were fined for failing to adhere to the measures, following an inspection of more than 36,000 workplaces since last March, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a Facebook post on Saturday (February 6).
In response to inquiries from The Straits Times, a MOM spokesperson said: “The most common violation observed was that companies have a high percentage of employees who report to the workplace for extended periods even though they are able to perform their work from home”.
Some companies also had not implemented safe distancing measures in workstations and meeting rooms, such as not spacing chairs 1 meter apart.
All of the companies fined by MOM were first-time offenders, the spokesperson said.
With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, companies are reminded not to host social gatherings like lohei or Chinese New Year meals.
“Last month, Singapore saw the formation of two clusters of Covid-19 in the workplace. The continued emergence of community cases and potentially more communicable stresses make the risk of transmission in the workplace a major cause for concern. “MOM noted in the Facebook post.
He suggested that companies could show their appreciation for staff by sending them aid packages or hosting virtual celebrations.
MOM added that when workplaces are inspected, the ministry will contact company-appointed safety management officials about their workplace health and safety plan.
The plan should include a list for the split team arrangements and an evacuation plan to be executed when there are sick employees, especially those suspected of having Covid-19.
“There should be a clear demarcation of safe physical distances (at least 1m away), minimized common physical contact points, and regular cleaning of common spaces,” MOM said.
For violations of safe management measures, first-time offenders can be fined up to $ 1,000 and repeat offenders up to $ 2,000.
MOM reminded employers and employees to continue to observe safe management measures at work, which will be vital to the safe reopening of the economy.
The workplace safety management measures were implemented at the end of the breaker period in June last year.
They last relaxed on September 28 when more employees were allowed to return to the workplace.
Last month, the Singapore National Employers Federation, the National Trade Union Congress and MOM said that working from home should remain the default arrangement to minimize the risk of Covid-19 transmission in offices.
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