With effect from 1 April 2019, pursuant to the amendment of Regulation 3(a) of the Workspace Safety and Health (Registration of Factories) Regulations 2008, construction companies no longer have to register their worksite with the Ministry of Manpower ("MOM"), as the information required for construction worksite registration will be integrated into the Building and Construction Authority's ("BCA") permit application. They now only need to apply to BCA for the permits, thereby saving on the worksite registration fees.

Contractors can start site preparation and building operations in the worksite without factory registration. However, BCA's permit to carry out structural works as defined under the Building Control Act and its Regulations would still be required before commencement of building works.

Previously, construction companies were required to make separate applications to BCA for a permit to carry out structural works, and to MOM to register their construction worksite, before they could commence work.

Both government agencies announced that this is part of the Government's efforts to streamline business processes and to enhance coordination between agencies as BCA and MOM will be using a common database of construction sites for inspections and other operations.

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