The Main Parts: How the System Works
1. More advanced options for biometric verification
Reliable identity verification is the key to collecting accurate data. Modern systems have strong, site-appropriate options [3]:
- Facial Recognition: A quick, clean, and contactless way to do things. Advanced 3D sensing and liveness detection stop people from using photos or masks to fake their identity. A lot of people use it and it works very well on sites with a lot of traffic.
- Thumbprint Recognition: A biometric that works and is cheap. Rugged scanners made for outdoor use can read prints accurately even if they have small cuts or dirt on them, making sure that verification is reliable.
Both methods make a unique, non-transferable record of when each worker comes and goes, which stops time theft and keeps your BCA EPSS submission data safe [4].
2. The Controlled Workflow: How to Use a Tripod Turnstile
The Tripod Turnstile for construction sites is the physical gatekeeper that makes sure the biometric system works as it should. The workflow is smooth [5]:
- A worker walks up to the right entry lane.
- They use the biometric terminal (facial scan or thumbprint) to prove who they are.
- If the verification is successful, the system records a “IN” event with a timestamp.
- A green light turns on, and the turnstile unlocks for one full turn.
- The same thing happens again for “OUT” at the end of the shift.
This one-person-one-authentication model makes sure that there is a perfect, chronological record of all the workers on site. This is the best data source for EPSS manpower reports in Singapore.
The automated path from raw data to a BCA-compliant report
The backend software is what really makes the system work. It changes raw attendance logs into formats that can be submitted [6].
Exporting Data for EPSS
Systems of high quality let you export attendance data directly in the formats that BCA’s EPSS portal needs [1]:
- Daily Manpower Format: A clear record of all workers’ IN/OUT times for a chosen date range.
- Core Trade Manpower Format: Data sorted and filtered by certain construction trades, like plumbing, electrical, and carpentry.
This gets rid of days of sorting data by hand and changing spreadsheets.
Making Manpower Reports That Follow BCA Rules
With Shunamite’s all-in-one system, making reports in the management software is easy [6]:
- Choose Parameters: Pick the date range for the report and the specific types of workers or subcontractors you need.
- Automated Compilation: The software takes the verified time and attendance data, figures out how many hours each worker and trade worked, and puts it all together in the right way.
- Review & Export: The site manager checks the accuracy of the auto-generated report and exports it in the correct format (like .csv for upload) or as a formatted PDF for records.
Common EPSS Reporting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When contractors get ready to send in EPSS data, they often run into the same problems over and over again. A combined biometric and turnstile system fixes these problems at their source [2]:
- Mistake: Wrong or “Estimated” Man-Hours.
- Cause: Relying on manual timesheets or data from subcontractors, which is often rounded or inflated.
- Solution: Biometric turnstiles record the exact times people enter and leave, down to the minute. Reports are based on facts, not guesses.
- Mistake: “Buddy Punching” and counting too many people.
- Reason: Employees who are not there using shared RFID cards or PINs to clock in and out for their coworkers.
- Answer: Biometrics are different for each person. To make sure the headcount is correct, a worker must be physically present to register their attendance [4].
- Mistake: Time-Consuming Data Consolidation.
- Cause: Manually putting together data from several subcontractors or different site gates.
- Solution: A centralized system automatically collects data from all turnstiles and biometric terminals and puts it into a single database, which is then ready for reporting [6].
- Mistake: Formatting Errors During EPSS Portal Upload.
- Cause: Manually made files with the wrong column formats, date structures, or trade classifications.
- Solution: The software comes with pre-configured export templates that make sure the data structure is always EPSS-ready, so uploads won’t be rejected [1].
Why should you choose Shunamite’s integrated solution?
When you choose different vendors for turnstiles, biometrics, and software, it can be hard to get them to work together and get help when you need it. Shunamite Pte Ltd offers a complete, all-in-one Biometric Time Attendance System for collecting manpower data that works with industrial-grade tripod turnstiles [5].
Our package is made just for the construction industry in Singapore and the BCA’s needs. We provide [6]:
- Hardware Built for Site Conditions: Weatherproof, long-lasting terminals and strong turnstiles.
- BCA-Focused Software: A user-friendly management portal that lets you make EPSS reports with just one click.
- End-to-End Support: From planning where to put entry lanes to teaching your team how to make reports and keep them up to date.
Stop having to do manual headcounts and last-minute EPSS data cleaning. Set up a system that takes care of compliance for you and gives you accurate, up-to-date information about your workforce.
Make your BCA EPSS compliance easier today. Get in touch with Shunamite to learn more about our custom Biometric and Turnstile packages and see how easily your manpower reporting can go from the site gate to the regulatory submission.
References
[1] Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore. (2023). Electronic Project Supervision System (EPSS) User Guide.
[2] Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. (2023). Advisory on Accurate Reporting of Manpower Data.
[3] International Biometrics + Identity Association (IBIA). (2022). Guide to Deploying Biometrics in Challenging Environments.
[4] Shunamite Pte Ltd. (2023). Technical Specifications: Biometric Verification Terminals for Construction Sites.
[5] Shunamite Pte Ltd. (2023). Installation Guide: Tripod Turnstile Systems for Access Control.
[6] Shunamite Pte Ltd. (2023). User Manual: Integrated Workforce Management and EPSS Reporting Software.
