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The Land Transport Authority said overall safety records among their contractors have improved. The accident frequency rate fell from 0.38 accidents per million man-hours worked in 2012, to 0.32 accidents per million man-hours worked in the first seven months of 2013.
PHOTOS VIDEOS A construction site. EnlargeCaption EnlargeSINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said overall safety records among their contractors have improved.

Thirty-three contractors with safe work practices were recognised on Wednesday morning at LTA’s Annual Safety Awards.

In July 2012, two workers died when scaffolding collapsed at a Downtown Line construction site at the junction of Victoria Street and Rochor Road.

Ministry of Manpower's director (occupational safety & health), Kevin Teoh, said: “The high profile cases last year are something that all of us have taken note of, not just LTA alone. But I'm glad to hear that with the launch of the 'Zero Accident Programme' (that LTA has launched), they've seen significant progress."

The accident frequency rate fell from 0.38 accidents per million man-hours worked in 2012 to 0.32 accidents per million man-hours worked in the first seven months of 2013.


Michael Lim, chairman of LTA, said: "Delivering our projects safely is an arduous task from facing the challenges of site constraints to meeting tight project timelines and handling increasing construction complexities. It is our responsibility to minimise risks at our worksites and ensure that our workers can go home safely to their loved ones."


Clinching the top prize at the ceremony was Ssangyong Engineering & Construction. The contractor is building a 1-kilometre-long tunnel connecting two MRT stations along Downtown Line 2.

Cables are hung up at Ssangyong’s construction site to ensure they do not become tripping hazards. Workers also use safety harnesses to prevent falls.


Ssangyong’s corporate safety manager Suresh Kumar said: "Most people say when you talk about safety, you will have an impact on progress. Actually if you look at it, it doesn't, in fact it enhances (progress).


“We have many safety and health programmes that we've launched to recognise workers for their high discipline of safety and health. For example, we… give awards costing a thousand dollars… (Or) reward a worker by sending (him) back home to see his family."


The firm also has a buddy system to ensure newcomers understand safety procedures at the construction site.

- CNA/ac/gn