Stop Work Orders (SWOs)
Stop Work Orders (SWOs)
In the context of Singapore, what does Stop Work Orders (SWOs) mean?
In the context of Singapore, a Stop Work Order (SWO) is a legal directive issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) under the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act. It requires a company or contractor to immediately cease all work activities, or certain high-risk operations, at a workplace due to unsafe conditions that pose imminent danger to workers' safety or health.
In recent years, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been increasing enforcement through spot checks and surveillance technologies, like AI video analytics. The rise in serious workplace accidents, especially in construction and manufacturing, has prompted stricter issuance of Stop Work Order (SWO) as part of Singapore’s SAFE (Safety Accountability, Focus and Empowerment) measures.
What are the grounds for issuing a Stop Work Order (SWO) in Singapore?
A Stop Work Order (SWO) maybe issued on any of the following grounds:
● Serious lapse in safety protocols.
● Accidents or near-misses occur, indicating unsafe systems of work.
● In case unsafe work practices are observed, e.g., working at height without fall protection.
● A company fails to comply with Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) regulations.
Why does Stop Work Order (SWO) matter?
When a Stop Work Order (SWO) is issued in Singapore, all work activities must come to an immediate halt, often disrupting entire operations. The employer or contractor is required to rectify all safety lapses identified during the safety inspection. Only after addressing these issues, they can notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and request a re-inspection.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will only lift the Stop Work Order (SWO) once it is satisfied that all corrective actions have been properly implemented and the workplace is safe to resume operations. But the impact doesn’t end there.
Receiving a Stop Work Order (SWO) can result in:
● Project delays and operational downtime
● Reputational damage in the industry and among clients
● Financial losses due to halted work and compliance costs
● Demerit points under the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Demerit Point System (DPS), which could affect licensing and bidding eligibility
● Potential blacklisting from future public or private sector tenders.
In short, a Stop Work Order (SWO) is not just a red flag, it is a call to rebuild both safety systems and trust.
How does a Stop Work Order (SWO) differ from other enforcement actions like fines or warnings?
A Stop Work Order (SWO) is a more severe and immediate enforcement action compared to fines or warnings. While a warning serves as a formal notice to rectify minor safety lapses and a fine imposes a financial penalty for non-compliance, a Stop Work Order (SWO) requires the immediate cessation of all or specific work activities at a site due to serious safety breaches.
Furthermore, SWOs are issued only when there is an imminent danger to workers' safety; whereas, fines and warnings are used for less critical breaches. A Stop Work Order (SWO) causes direct work stoppage, leading to delays and project disruptions. Fines and warnings typically allow work to continue while rectifications are made.
Also, a Stop Work Order (SWO) often results in accumulation of demerit points under the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Demerit Point System (DPS) and may impact future tender eligibility, unlike standard fines or warnings.
In short, a Stop Work Order (SWO) is not just a penalty, it’s a regulatory shutdown until safety is restored.
How can the integration of AI video analytics into Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) help companies in Singapore prevent Stop Work Orders (SWOs)?
The integration of AI video analytics into Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) enables companies to proactively monitor safety compliance in real-time, which is critical for avoiding conditions that could lead to a Stop Work Order (SWO).
Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) that are powered by AI video analytics can automatically detect unsafe behaviours, such as workers not wearing PPE, entering restricted zones, or performing hazardous tasks without supervision, before they escalate into violations. These systems also help enforce Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) regulations by generating instant alerts and audit trails, enabling faster intervention and documentation of corrective actions.
In Singapore, where the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) enforces strict WSH standards, such tech-enabled surveillance acts as a preventive shield, allowing companies to identify and fix safety lapses early, reduce dependency on manual inspections, and maintain a continuous safety record that minimizes the risk of receiving a Stop Work Order (SWO).
Article by
Barnali Sharma
Content Writer
Barnali Sharma is a dedicated content contributor for viAct. A university gold medalist with an MBA in Marketing, she crafts compelling narratives, enhances brand engagement, and develops data-driven marketing campaigns. When she’s not busy working her content alchemy, Barnali can be found commanding stages with her public speaking or turning data into stories that actually make sense -because who said analytics can’t have a little creativity?