n the first half of this year, 13 lives were lost at worksite accidents.

This is more than the nine deaths recorded for the whole of 2010.

The 13 deaths this year were caused by falling from heights at worksites.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has stopped work at 37 worksites and warned 150 contractors for safety lapses during the first nine months of this year.

MOM's Occupational Safety and Health Inspectorate (OSHI) visited 4,500 worksites across construction sites, shipyards and general factory premises this year.

MOM uncovered more than 1,800 work at height (WAH) safety and health violations, and more than half of these worksites were fined.

Common safety lapses uncovered included unsecured openings without proper barricades, lack of proper access to work areas such as properly erected scaffold access, unsafe scaffolds, and inadequate anchorage for workers' fall protection equipment.

There has also been a trend of fatal falls involving workers across construction sites, shipyards and general factory premises this year.

In these fatal accidents, the contractors were found to be negligent and irresponsible in ensuring safe work procedures. Fatalities involving ladders were mainly caused by unsafe use of the A-frame ladder in manufacturing works, warehousing operations and electrical works.

The 150 contractors who were fined were also summoned to attend a WAH awareness and compliance session.

MOM steps up enforcement on WAH From October to December this year, the Ministry will inspect over 1,000 worksites in the construction and marine industry for WAH safety lapses.

Inspections will cover checks on roof and ladder works. MOM reminds employers that companies that fail to ensure workplace safety may be charged under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, which carries a maximum fine of $500,000.

Individuals can also be charged under the WSH Act for a maximum fine of $200,0002 and/or 24 months jail term.

Besides issuing fines and warnings, MOM officers will also issue stop work orders in workplaces that present immediate danger to the workers.