Tighter measures for companies who transport workers in
lorries
SINGAPORE: Companies who ferry their workers around in
trucks will soon come under scrutiny.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is putting in place
more stringent control measures to ensure the safety of such
workers.
From next month, workers are not allowed to be seated at a
height of more than 1.1 metres from the carriage deck. Currently,
workers are not allowed to be seated higher than 3.2 metres from
the surface upon which the vehicle rests.
And from 1 January 2010, new lorries must be fitted with
canopies and higher side railings if they carry passengers on the
deck. This will be a requirement for all existing lorries in three
years time.
In addition, more space will be required per seated worker
- as the minimum deck space required per seated worker will be
doubled to eight square feet.
Halimah Yacob, GPC Chair, Manpower, said: "Why does it
take three years in order to introduce these measures. Can't it be
much a shorter period because we're talking about the lives and
limbs of people who come and work in our country?"
Teo Ser Luck, senior parliamentary secretary, Transport
& Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: "It takes a
little bit longer for the workgroup to come up with the
recommendations, and it's because it's a very complex issue because
you have to address not only the safety concerns but also the
concerns of the business sector as well, and other
stakeholders.
The installation of the new safety features will cost
about S$1,000- S$3,000. But industry players said it is a small
price to pay for the convenience of a lorry.
Simon Lee, executive director, Singapore Contractors
Association, said: "When we carry goods, we need workers to work on
the goods even unloading, loading and installation. So a lorry
followed by a bus or followed by a van to transport these few more
workers may not be so practical."
Those who fail to comply with the new measures could face
a fine, demerit points or even prosecution in court.
- CNA/vm