Humans Aren't Cargo

by Sumita Sreedharan TODAY, Jan 19, 2012 Photo caption: Workers on the back of a pick-up truck. TODAY FILE PHOTO SINGAPORE - Fewer offenders were caught not complying with safety rules for ferrying workers on lorries from February to September last year, with the number dropping 49 per cent to 1,329 after stiffer penalties kicked in in February last year. Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo said this in Parliament yesterday in response to queries by Chua Chu Kang GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Alex Yam. Mrs Teo also said the number of accidents in the eight months before and after enhanced penalties took effect also fell. The number of fatalities fell from five to zero and the number of injuries dropped to 83 cases from 199 cases. The Land Transport Authority had implemented a set of rules to enhance the safety of workers being transported in the rear of lorries and pick-up trucks, following accidents involving workers being ferried in such a manner. MPs also ex...

Straits Times, Published on Jan 19, 2012 By MARIA ALMENOAR Photo caption: No workers died in the eight months after the new rules kicked in, compared with five in the eight months before. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN STIFFER penalties designed to protect workers transported on the backs of lorries seem to have had the desired effect. The number of employers caught for flouting safety rules between February and September last year was 1,329. This is 49 per cent lower than the 2,601 caught in the eight months before the stiffer rules were implemented on Feb1 last year. In Parliament yesterday, Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo gave an update on the effectiveness of the new rules while responding to questions by MP Alex Yam (Chua Chu Kang GRC). Since February last year, all light lorries ferrying passengers in the back have been required to have canopies and higher side rails. Owners who do not comply can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed for up to three months. Th...