Singapore's new requirement will take effect from 2027

All forklift operators in Singapore have been told by the government to attend a refresher training course at least once every three years.

The move is part of the southeast Asian country's efforts to boost workplace safety and health, the Ministry of Manpower said.

Vehicular incidents were the number one cause of fatal workplace injuries between 2022 and 2023, according to figures, with a quarter of these involving forklifts.

In the same period, government inspections found that nearly 80% of forklift-related incidents involved operators who had not undergone refresher training within three years.

The ministry said: "Under guidelines on safe operation of forklift trucks, all forklift operators should attend a refresher training course once every three years after the completion of their first training course.

The new requirement will commence from 2027 to allow forklift operators more time to attend the refresher training, it added.

The course will cover key safety concepts, industry guidelines, learnings from past incidents and hands-on practice.