22 Apr 2020
Ref No.: 220420 (1)
UEN: S97SS0046G
Dear Valued ASPRI Members,
WSH reminder on safe distancing measures for ferrying workers during circuit breaker period
During this circuit breaker period, many essential services across industries entail the transport of workers to and from the workplace. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) issued an advisory on safe distancing measures for workers ferried on lorries on 10 April 2020. This follows the implementation of an elevated set of safe distancing measures to pre-empt the trend of increasing local transmission of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations apply to all vehicles ferrying workers. Additionally, the employers, as well as transport companies and drivers, will be liable if found to be non-compliant when ferrying workers.
The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council reminds all employers, operators and drivers to adhere strictly to safe distancing measures when ferrying workers on all vehicles. All transport arrangements should be carefully planned and implemented, with the objective to reduce social interactions and the likelihood of transmission among workers. Every employer, transport operator and driver must take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of workers ferried, including:
- Reviewing the maximum seating capacity for each vehicle to ensure that workers are able to maintain a safe distance of one metre from one another;
- Marking out with labels or other demarcation for workers to identify an appropriate location to sit;
- Communicating to workers to ensure effective implementation of safe distancing measures; and
- Making provisions, if necessary, for additional trips or vehicles.
MOM, together with the LTA and Traffic Police, have launched joint operations to target this critical area. Any person, employer, transport operator or driver who contravenes the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations faces a fine of up to $10,000 or jail term of up to six months, or both. Compositions have been issued to companies found to have flouted the measures.
Together, we must all do our part to protect the health of our workers and keep the larger Singapore community safe.
Download MOM’s advisory on safe distancing measures for workers ferried on lorries here