The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have imposed 65 penalties on 12 commercial diving companies and seven individuals for safety violations following an enforcement operation conducted from September to December 2024.
Penalties included a stop-work order for a diving supervisor and $13,000 in fines issued to 19 entities. MOM has reiterated that all commercial diving contractors must comply with the Code of Practice for Diving at Work and ensure strict adherence to safety protocols.
Recent incidents highlight the dangers of using improper equipment, including two fatal diving accidents in 2024, where divers were found using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) instead of commercial surface-supplied diving equipment (SSDE). MOM stresses that SSDE is mandatory for commercial diving as it provides continuous air supply, communications, and a lifeline for diver safety.
CDAS urges all members to review safety procedures and ensure full compliance to avoid enforcement actions and, most importantly, to protect lives. MOM and MPA will continue regular inspections and will not hesitate to take action against non-compliance.
For more details, read the full article from The Straits Times here.