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SINGAPORE: One of the unexpected delights of the circuit breaker from Apr 7 to Jun 1 was the visible flourishing of natural life across Singapore, as grass-cutting and weeding activities ground to a halt. In once closely mown grass patches, tropical wildflowers, forest shrub seedlings and native tree saplings sprang up. More butterflies, bees and birds were seen flitting about residential estates, roadsides and park connectors. And people were enjoying the revitalised spaces too, judging from positive reactions on social media. Many netizens expressed appreciation for their beauty and diversity of plant and animal life. Some reminisced how these lush landscapes reminded them of Singapore in the 1960s and 70s. READ: Commentary: The wonder of clear skies and returning wildlife is our new climate problem On a practical level, some suggested that less manicured green spaces would reduce the air and noise pollution produced by gasoline-powered leaf blowers and mowers. During a … [Read more...] about Commentary: Let Singapore’s green spaces grow wild

SINGAPORE: An SMRT staff member died on Monday (Mar 23) after sustaining "severe injuries" while working at Bishan Depot. Group Chief Executive Officer Neo Kian Hong said Technical Officer Muhammad Afiq Senawi had been working in a Rolling Stock workshop and was operating a hydraulic press machine when the accident occurred at about 9.20am. "First-aid was immediately rendered. He was then conveyed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital at about 11.20am. "We have conveyed our deepest condolences to his family and are rendering support and assistance at this very difficult time," Mr Neo added. SMRT said that it is assisting the Land Transport Authority, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the police with the investigations. The transport operator has called a safety time-out and suspended all similar maintenance works while investigations are ongoing. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that it was "deeply saddened" … [Read more...] about SMRT worker dies from injuries after workplace accident at Bishan Depot

SINGAPORE: Workplace fatalities last year fell to the lowest since 2004, but the rate of injuries climbed to a five-year high, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) 2019 report released on Wednesday (Mar 11) showed. There were 39 fatalities last year, or 1.1 deaths for every 100,000 workers, a dip from 41 fatalities and a rate of 1.2 in 2018. Collapse or failure of structure and equipment, vehicular-related incidents and falls from height dominated the top three causes of fatal injuries, with seven cases in each category. The construction industry recorded the highest number of deaths (13 cases), followed by the transportation and storage industry (eight cases). MANUFACTURING HAD MOST MAJOR INJURIES The number of major injuries in the workplace totalled 629 in 2019, an increase of 33 cases from 2018. Last year’s rate hit 18.1 per 100,000 workers, the highest since 2014 when the rate was 20 per 100,000 workers. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) defines major injuries … [Read more...] about Workplace fatalities at 15-year low, but injuries climb to highest rate since 2014

SINGAPORE: Having more workers covered by mandatory insurance and allowing those suffering from work injuries to receive more compensation sooner were among the proposed key changes to the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), tabled by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Parliament on Monday (Aug 5). These recommended amendments to the WICA, which requires employers to compensate staff for work-related injuries, are part of the MOM’s regular review to ensure that the Act “remains fair and expeditious for both employees and employers”, the ministry said in a press release. To better protect injured workers, compulsory work injury compensation (WIC) insurance is being proposed to be extended to non-manual employees, regardless of where they work and up to a salary threshold of S$2,600. The latter is “to align with the new salary threshold for non-workmen under Part IV of the Employment Act”, and will be carried out in stages to give businesses time to adjust, said MOM. The scope … [Read more...] about Broader insurance coverage, higher compensation among proposed changes to work injury law

SINGAPORE: The announcement of Singapore’s vision for a “low-carbon and climate resilient Singapore” on Friday (Feb 28) was a timely one. Singapore’s mitigation vision has two stated goals. First, an absolute peak emission level of 65 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030 and second, an aspiration to halve the emissions peak emissions to 33 million tonnes by 2050, with a view to achieving net-zero emissions “as soon as viable” after that. While delivering the announcement, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean pithily and accurately noted “this (commitment) will be very challenging given our limited alternative energy options". Indeed, the current geographical, economic and technological circumstances in Singapore will make it difficult – but not impossible – to first reduce current emissions before reaching the ideal net-zero level. READ: Commentary: Why Singapore’s new 'absolute' climate mitigation targets could be an absolute game changer LISTEN: How ready is … [Read more...] about Commentary: Reaching net-zero emissions will be ‘very challenging’. But watch Singapore try anyway

SINGAPORE: Buyers of cleaner cars and taxis can get bigger rebates from next year, while those who purchase vehicles that produce more emissions can expect to pay higher surcharges, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a joint media release on Thursday (Nov 12). These come under the enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES), which take effect on Jan 1, 2021, and will last until Dec 31, 2022. The scheme was introduced in 2018 to encourage drivers to choose vehicles with lower emissions across five pollutants, including carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Rebates and surcharges are determined by a vehicle’s band under the scheme: A1, A2, B, C1 or C2, with A1 being the cleanest and C2 being the most pollutive. Under the enhanced VES, new cars and imported used cars in bands A1 and A2 will see a S$5,000 increase in rebates. Taxis in the same bands are eligible for S$7,500 more in rebates. This brings rebates to … [Read more...] about More rebates for cleaner vehicles, higher surcharges for more pollutive models from 2021