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At the same time, the annualised major injury rate remained stable.
Singapore's annualised fatality rate per 100,000 workers dropped by half to record 0.8 in the first half of 2023 (H1 2023).
In comparison, a rate of 1.6 was recorded in the same period in 2022, while a rate of 1.3 was recorded in H2 2022.
At the same time, the annualised major injury rate remained stable at 17.2 in H1 2023, compared to 17.3 for both H1 and H2 2022. As the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) noted in its statement on the findings, the improvements reflect the positive outcomes from the Heightened Safety Period, which ended on 31 May 2023. This also places Singapore back on track towards meeting its WSH2028 aspirations of a fatality rate below 1.0 per 100,000 workers, the Ministry added.
Per the statement, based on the country's safety performance in the past three years, Singapore comes after the top four OECD countries.
Notwithstanding the above, MOM acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the construction and manufacturing sectors — the two biggest contributors for fatal and major injuries.
In the construction sector, the number of fatalities at regular construction worksites decreased in H1 2023 compared to H2 2022. However, smaller-scale construction works such as addition & alteration, renovation, and facility management still require more targeted interventions, MOM highlighted, adding that it will work with relevant agencies and industry to enhance the safety standards for contractors involved in such works.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector saw an overall decrease in fatalities in H2 2023. However, the number of major injuries increased, particularly in the metalworking sub-sector, compared to H2 2022.
In that vein, MOM reaffirmed that the Demerit Point System will be expanded from the construction sector to the manufacturing sector in October 2023, as earlier announced by the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce. MOM will also prioritise targeted inspections to detect and deter breaches in the metalworking sub-sector.
Lead image / Shutterstock
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