From 1 June 2024, all construction worksites with a contract value of $5 million and above are required to install VSS.

What is VSS

The VSS is a network of cameras, monitors or display units, and recorders used for:

• Surveillance

• Identification of workplace safety and health (WSH) risks

• Facilitation of incident investigation and corrective actions

• Deterrence of unsafe workplace behaviours

Am I required to install VSS in my construction worksite?

VSS is required at construction worksites with a contract value of $5 million and above.

Scenario	Is VSS required?
A contractor commences construction works at a project site with a contract value of $5 million	Yes
A contractor is awarded a single contract of $6 million by a developer to carry out addition and alteration (A&A) works at two separate landed properties	Yes, VSS would be required at both worksites.
A contractor is awarded a contract involving roadworks at multiple locations, and the contract value is at $5 million and above	Yes, VSS would be required as the contract value is at $5 million and above.
A contractor is awarded a contract involving roadworks at multiple locations, but the contract value is at $4 million	No, VSS would not be required as the contract value is below $5 million.
A contractor is awarded two separate contracts for with a combined contract value exceeding $5 million for Piling and foundation works and Superstructure works by the same developer at the same worksite	Yes, VSS would be required at the worksite as the combined contract value is at $5 million or more.

Where are the locations requiring VSS installation?

VSS must be installed at the following locations:

• Every area, including every floor of a building under construction, where any of the following works is carried out or intended to be carried out:

  • Work at height where a person may fall off or through a distance of more than 2 metres

  • Erection, dismantling and maintenance of scaffolds and formwork structures

  • Excavation works and shoring

• Every area where lifting operations are carried out or intended to be carried out or lifting machines, such as cranes, gondolas or mobile elevated working platforms are used.

• Every area where industrial trucks such as forklifts, excavators or steam rollers are used.

• Every area where vehicular traffic might pose danger to persons carrying out any work.

• Every loading or unloading area.

• Every confined space where any work is carried out or intended to be carried out, if a VSS can be safely installed.

What are the required specifications for VSS?

The VSS must be able to:

• Record colour images at the resolution of at least HD 1080, which is 1920×1080 pixels or equivalent

• Record images of at least 12 frames per second

• Support the export of recorded images or video footages in .avi, .mp4 or other common multi-media container formats

• Make recordings with a date stamp, time stamp and camera identification code, which do not materially obstruct the recorded images.

Recordings should be kept for a period of:

• At least 30 days after the recording is made

• At least 180 days after the date of the incident if there is a reportable WSH incident

For more info:

• More details can be found in the FAQs and press release.

• For more details on the implementation of VSS, you can refer to the WSH Guide on Video Surveillance Systems published by WSH Council.