Ensuring a Safe &

Controlled Restart

Engagement with TACs

28 May 2020

1
 Measured approach in restarting construction works after CB ends
• Minimise risks of resurgence of infections/clusters on restart, to avoid work stoppage again
• COVID-Safe criteria to be in place and complied with for all projects
Phase 0 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Prepare 1st group of projects 1st group of projects More projects All other
for restart resumes resume projects
- those that can meet Safe resume
Restart criteria

COVID-Safe Restart criteria in place

Workforce size to increase gradually, with a small % of workforce

allowed to work on site immediately after CB

NOW END OF CB <to be determined on <to be determined on

28 May 1 Jun further monitoring> further monitoring>
Week -1 Week 0

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For a start, only a small no. of projects are allowed to resume
• Construction activities gradually allowed to resume from 2 June 2020
o Projects that cannot be left idle for too long due to safety concerns
o Critical and time-sensitive projects (e.g. MRT and Deep Tunnel Sewerage System
(DTSS) tunnelling projects)
o Previously suspended residential renovation works
o Identified construction projects and supply works have been notified of the restart
application

• Another 5% of the construction workforce to resume work over June

(cumulatively 10% of workforce)
o All works will require approval from BCA before they can restart, and must put in
place adequate safe management measures
o Foreign workers in the construction industry must be tested before they are allowed
to return to work, with regular swabbing required thereafter
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BCA’s approval is required prior to restart
• Prior approval required. All firms performing (i) construction projects, (ii)
supply works, and/or (iii) construction account works must seek BCA’s
approval (given on behalf of MTI)
o Relevant COVID-Safe Restart criteria must be complied with
o Essential for all stakeholders along the value chain to cooperate and minimise the risk
of a COVID-19 resurgence

• Exception. Resumption of (i) administrative works in corporate offices, (ii)

works on non-construction sites, and (iii) essential services (e.g. site safety
maintenance, instrumentation & monitoring, receiving of materials)
o Provided that such works do not deploy construction WPHs and S-pass holders
o Telecommuting should be adopted to the maximum extent feasible

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COVID-Safe Restart criteria - Safe Workforce
• Employees must download contact-tracing app TraceTogether by 1 Jun or
when companies resume works, whichever is earlier
• Employers are required to establish a system to track the daily health status
of workers, and manage their social interactions on rest days e.g. having
staggered off-days
• Employers need to ensure their relevant employees undergo regular swab
test and fulfil related requirements
o BCA will contact eligible companies to arrange for swab tests
o BCA reserves the right to withdraw any approval given for resumption of works, if
workers who are working are found to have missed regular testing
o Government will pay for testing costs involved for existing projects until Aug 2020
o Beyond that, the Government will work out the arrangements on how the cost of
testing should be shared fairly among parties
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COVID-Safe Worksite
• Main contractor or occupier of worksite/place must deploy SafeEntry (NRIC
version) to record all entries and exists
• Strict safe management measures must be enforced at worksites, incl.
o Segregation of workers by teams (based on accommodation and construction activity
performed) to work at different work zones
o Where unable to comply with 1m safe distancing due to work constraints, time spent
at close range should be minimised
o Short-term workers/work by specialist contractors will need to comply with other
conditions to minimise inter-mingling between different teams
o Having staggered breaks for workers
o Safe Management Officers (SMOs) and/or Safe Distancing Officers (SDOs) are to be
appointed

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COVID-Safe Worker Accommodation and Transport
• Cohort workers by projects at their places of accommodation
o On-site accommodation like CTQs and TOLQs are preferred – developers/contractors
can ‘self-help’ where possible
o BCA will coordinate ‘fast track’ approvals for the construction of new CTQs/TOLQs

• Provide dedicated transport between work sites and places of

accommodation (e.g. PBDs, FCDs, CTQs, TOLQs, decanted sites)
o Dedicated transport could be in the form of private bus or lorry (with 25% reduction
in pre-COVID Max. Passenger Capacity)

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Approval process differs according to type of restart work
• For Construction projects & Supply chain/DfMA facilities
Developers/ Each project will Notice of
Contractors will be Only invited projects submit a FormSG Approval/Disapproval
directly informed will receive URL to application and with relevant T&Cs
that their project is apply for Restart attached data form (where applicable)
scheduled to restart for all parties issued

• For Renovation works and Construction Account works

Firms will be
Notice of
informed via circular
To make application Approval/Disapproval
with application URL Each firm will submit
through the URL to with relevant T&Cs
(different from the a FormSG application
apply for Restart (where applicable)
Construction Project
issued
URL)

• For other projects that project parties assess to meet Restart criteria fully, they can
submit an appeal to BCA
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Other complementary COVID-Safe measures
• Audit and Inspection (A&I)
o A&I regime will be implemented, using technology to check strict implementation of
COVID-Safe management measures
o Main contractors and employers to ensure overall compliance, including deploying
technology to facilitate self-checks and supervision
o BCA will utilise technology to conduct selective physical audits and inspections

• Training of personnel before being deployed to work

o All workers are required to attend the COVID-Safe Training for Workers
o SMOs and SDOs are required to attend Safe Management Officers Course for
Construction

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Prepping industry for restart via BCA-Industry webinar series
• Partnering TACs in reaching out to the wider industry to share on the restart requirements
and process, via a series of webinars
Theme “Working Together Towards COVID-Safe and Restart Ready”

3 Jun, 4.00pm to 5.30pm (REDAS)

Dates 4 Jun, (i) 11.00am – 12.30pm (SCAL), (ii) 4.00pm to 5.30pm (STAS)
5 Jun, (i) 11.00am – 12.30pm (SIFMA/APFM), (ii) 4.00pm – 5.30pm (SIA, ACES, SISV)

- To engage industry on COVID-Safe requirements, prior to restart;

Aim - To facilitate the restart process; and
- To gather industry feedback on the restart requirements and process

- A COVID-Safe Industry Restart: Policy, Criteria, Support Measures

- Criteria 1: COVID-Safe Workforce
Topics
- Criteria 2: COVID-Safe Worksite
- Criteria 3: COVID-Safe Accommodation/Transport
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Need concerted effort for a safe restart to enable subsequent ramp-up
• We will be watching closely how safely and smoothly the industry restarts
o May not have zero COVID cases, but the aim is to avoid the emergence of big clusters
o A resurgence of infections may bring about work stoppages again

• Crucial that every stakeholder plays a part to enable the proper

implementation of the Restart criteria
o Not prioritizing speed over COVID-Safe practices to avoid further setbacks
o Need to pay attention to details such as segregation and zoning of worker teams
o Ensure ability to quick response to isolate COVID cases which may emerge

• Foster greater resilience of the sector by moving towards transformative

recovery
o Shape practices to address vulnerabilities as presented by COVID-19 e.g. accelerate
DfMA adoption and automation
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TACs’ support needed to lead and rally the wider industry
• TACs to identify areas of partnership with the Govt and provide feedback to
facilitate smooth restart
• TACs to serve as the lines of communication to the wider industry
o Rally members to abide by COVID-Safe Restart criteria and adapt to the new normal
o BCA will be issuing updates on BCA’s COVID-19 page on the 21st of every month, to
give industry notice on next steps
o Help disseminate info sent by BCA, to members so that they are kept updated
Industry can access more details on the restart plans, criteria and FAQs, via the following QR codes

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 Thank you

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