At a glance. From 1 June 2024, all construction worksites with a contract value of S$5 million and above must install a video surveillance system (VSS). Cameras must cover high-risk work areas, record in colour at 1080p or better and at least 12 frames per second, and footage must be kept for at least 30 days, or 180 days after a reportable incident.
This is a planning summary checked against MOM's published page on 11 October 2026. It is not legal advice. MOM's page and FAQs, linked under Sources, are the authoritative reference.
Who the requirement applies to
The requirement covers construction worksites with a contract value of S$5 million or more. MOM's published examples indicate that:
- where one contract covers several sites, each site is covered if the contract value meets the threshold;
- where there are separate contracts at the same worksite, their values are combined when checking the threshold; and
- a contract below S$5 million, such as a S$4 million roadworks contract, is not covered.
Where cameras are needed
MOM lists the following locations:
- Every area, including each floor of a building under construction, where work at height, the erection, dismantling or maintenance of scaffolds or formwork, or excavation and shoring is carried out or planned.
- Areas where lifting operations take place, or where lifting machines such as cranes, gondolas and mobile elevated work platforms are used.
- Areas where industrial trucks such as forklifts, excavators and steam rollers operate.
- Areas where vehicle traffic could endanger workers.
- Loading and unloading areas.
- Confined spaces where work is carried out or planned, if a VSS can be safely installed there.
Because these activities move as a project progresses, the camera layout has to move with them.
Technical standards
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Image | Colour, at a minimum of HD 1080 (1920 × 1080 pixels) or equivalent |
| Frame rate | At least 12 frames per second |
| Export format | .avi, .mp4 or another common multimedia container format |
| On-screen information | Date stamp, time stamp and camera identification code, placed so they do not materially obstruct the image |
How long footage must be kept
- At least 30 days after the recording is made.
- At least 180 days after the incident date where there is a reportable workplace safety and health incident.
Planning a system that meets the standards
Storage
Continuous recording uses about 10.8 GB per day for every 1 Mbps of stream bitrate. For 30 days of retention:
| Stream bitrate at 1080p | Per camera, per day | Per camera, 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Mbps | about 21.6 GB | about 650 GB |
| 4 Mbps | about 43.2 GB | about 1.3 TB |
Allow extra capacity so that footage of an incident can be preserved for the longer 180-day period.
Coverage that moves
Work at height, lifting and excavation shift from zone to zone and floor to floor. Plan how cameras will be relocated, who approves each new position and how each camera's identification code is kept up to date.
Power and connectivity
Many work fronts have no mains power or fixed network. Decide early whether cameras will be cabled back to a site office, or whether self-contained units with local recording and mobile connectivity are more practical. If you want to watch remotely over 4G or 5G, read how to view CCTV on 4G without a public IP.
Retrieval
Make sure someone on the project knows how to find and export footage in a standard format, with the date, time and camera identification visible.
How Owl can help
- Owl Portable CCTV: deployable units with an industrial enclosure, mobile connectivity, local recording and battery options, for work areas that move.
- OwlAnywhere: live RTSP viewing and remote management from sites on 4G and 5G, with no public IP or port forwarding.
- OwlGuard: one browser workspace for live view, playback and events across every site.
- CCTV installation: survey, cabling, cameras and recording by Owl's own field engineers.
Ask Owl to confirm a proposed configuration against MOM's requirements for your worksite before you commit to it.
Sources
- MOM: Video surveillance system (VSS) for construction sector
- MOM: FAQs for VSS (PDF)
- WSH Council: WSH Guide on Video Surveillance Systems
Frequently asked questions
When did VSS become mandatory for construction worksites?
From 1 June 2024, all construction worksites in Singapore with a contract value of S$5 million and above are required to install a video surveillance system.
Which construction worksites need a VSS?
Worksites with a contract value of S$5 million or more. Where separate contracts apply to the same worksite, MOM's examples indicate their values are combined when checking the threshold.
What resolution and frame rate does MOM require?
Colour images at a minimum of HD 1080 (1920 × 1080 pixels) or equivalent, at 12 frames per second or more, with date, time and camera identification shown.
How long must VSS footage be kept?
At least 30 days after the recording is made, and at least 180 days after the incident date if there is a reportable workplace safety and health incident.
How much storage does 30 days of 1080p footage need?
Roughly 650 GB per camera at 2 Mbps and about 1.3 TB per camera at 4 Mbps, for continuous recording.