Accountability of Food Delivery and Courier Service Companies for Work-related Traffic Accidents
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the safety findings and legal accountability of food delivery and courier companies for work-related accidents involving delivery personnel on bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs). Ms Joan Pereira inquired about 2017 inspection results and proposed legislation to ensure companies are held accountable for the safety of both employees and contract workers. Minister of State for Manpower Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong reported that 44 companies were penalized for safety lapses, primarily inadequate risk assessments, which have since been rectified. He clarified that the Workplace Safety and Health Act already mandates that companies ensure worker safety through training and risk management for all staff. Regarding insurance, the Minister of State noted that while motor vehicles have third-party coverage, insurance for PMD users is being studied by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel.
Transcript
5 Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what are the findings on the safety of delivery riders/drivers from the Ministry's inspection of 50 food delivery and courier service companies between July and September 2017; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider introducing legislation to ensure that food delivery and courier service companies be accountable for work-related traffic accidents involving their deliverymen, including part-timers and contract personnel, on bicycles and personal mobility devices.
The Minister of State for Manpower (Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong) (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, Sir, MOM inspected 50 food delivery and courier service companies last year and issued 71 notices to 44 errant companies for infringement of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) regulations. More than 70% of the infringements were related to the lack of or inadequate risk assessment. These companies did not conduct risk assessment to identify hazards which can affect the safety and health of their employees and contract personnel.
Without risk assessments, the companies are not able to put in place the necessary preventive actions against accidents. These errant companies have since rectified the safety lapses and conducted proper risk assessments for their employees and contracted parties directly working under them. We will conduct similar operations this year on other delivery companies and couriers to ensure that they also adopt proper WSH measures at their workplaces.
On the need for legislation, the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) already requires food delivery and courier service companies to ensure the safety and health of their workers, including part-time employees and contract personnel. The safety measures include ensuring that their workers have taken adequate safety measures and have sufficient training on the use of bicycles and personal mobility devices.
Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar): I thank the Minister of State. I have one supplementary question. Will MOM consider making it mandatory for our employers to buy special insurance policies for their delivery men to cover third-party risks so that the victims can make claims should there be an accident?
Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong: Sir, under the existing law, third-party risks are already covered by motor insurance if the delivery men use vehicles, such as vans, lorries, cars and so on, to carry out their work. So, this is covered. However, there is one group of delivery men not covered under the current law and these are the delivery men using personal mobility devices to perform their tasks.
This issue is being studied by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel under MOT. I understand that the study is due to be completed by the end of this year. By then, we should have more information on how this gap can be closed.