MOM: 36 worker fatalities, 590 major injuries in 2023, down from 2022

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed that in 2023, Singapore witnessed 36 worker fatalities due to workplace accidents, along with 590 major injuries, marking a decrease from 614 in 2022.

The number of workplace fatalities experienced a notable decrease of 21.7% from the 46 deaths recorded in 2022.

The workplace fatality rate stood at 0.99 per 100,000 workers, down from 1.3 in 2022, as per MOM’s annual workplace safety and health report released on Wednesday (27 March).

This trend continued from previous years, with 37 deaths in 2021, 30 in 2020, and 39 in 2019.

MOM stated that for every 100,000 workers, approximately 16 suffered major injuries at work, with fewer than one fatality occurring on the job in 2023.

MOM: Singapore’s achieved a historic low in workplace fatalities and injuries in decade

Singapore achieved its lowest workplace fatality rate and the lowest workplace major injury rate in a decade, according to MOM.

The construction and transportation/storage sectors, the top two sectors for workplace incidents, experienced decreases in both fatal and major injury rates.

However, MOM identified the manufacturing sector as having the highest combined fatal and major injury rates.

In 2023, the construction sector recorded the highest number of deaths, with eighteen fatalities, including Mr Vinoth Kumar, 20, who tragically lost his life in a wall collapse during demolition works at the Fuji Xerox Towers site in Tanjong Pagar on 15 June 2023.

Though the construction sector saw a rise in deaths compared to 2022, major injuries decreased from 157 in 2022 to 149 in 2023.

Similarly, the transportation and storage sector witnessed a decline in both deaths and major injuries, with eight fatalities and 47 major injuries in 2023, compared to nine deaths and 61 major injuries in 2022.

Fatalities in the manufacturing sector decreased from seven to five.

Excluding 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted operations, including the cessation of work for foreign workers, 2023 marked the first time the workplace fatality rate dropped below one per 100,000 workers.

590 major injuries in 2023

In 2023, there were 590 major injuries, a decrease from 614 in 2022.

Major injuries encompass severe non-fatal incidents like amputations, blindness, and fractures.

Within the manufacturing sector, the number of major-injury cases surged from 122 to 150.

These injuries predominantly stemmed from machinery incidents, slips, trips, and falls, often attributed to insufficient control measures by companies and non-compliance with safety protocols by workers, as noted by MOM.

Of particular concern was the metalworking industry, a subset of manufacturing, which experienced 61 fatal and major injury cases, up from 40 in 2022.

In response, MOM conducted over 650 inspections in the metalwork sector between October and November 2023, resulting in fines totalling $32,000.

Accidents involving falls from height were prevalent, causing eight fatalities and 67 major injuries at workplaces.

MOM attributed this trend to increased work-from-height activities, particularly in projects involving the installation of solar panels, which saw two fatal accidents in 2023.

Long-term issues of occupational diseases in the workplace

According to Singapore state media, The Straits Times, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad emphasized during a site visit on Wednesday that while achieving targets ahead of schedule is commendable, it does not signify the endpoint in ensuring workplace safety.

“What’s more important is how we make sure that we sustain this… because it’s one thing to be able to reach certain heights, but we want to also maintain it and ensure we are there on a sustained basis.”

He emphasized the need to address long-term issues such as occupational diseases, including noise-induced deafness and back sprains.

The rate of occupational diseases increased from 29.7 per 100,000 workers in 2022 to 33.6 in 2023.

MOM attributed this rise to improved workplace health surveillance efforts, resulting in increased reporting by doctors and employers.

To address this issue, MOM mandates companies with workers exposed to higher levels of toxic substances or noise to implement risk controls and undergo third-party audits.

Intensified focus on workplace safety following series of workplace incidents in 2023

In 2023, a series of significant workplace incidents prompted the MOM to intensify its focus on workplace safety within the construction and industry sectors.

MOM pledged to implement stricter safety measures, aiming to reverse the concerning trend.

In addition to the tragic incident at the Fuji Xerox Towers site in June 2023,  another incident occurred on 11 July, where a a 33-year-old worker at a worksite in Jurong West was killed when he was struck by a reversing wheel loader.

Despite immediate attention from SCDF paramedics, the man died at the scene.

On 13 July, a 30-year-old Indian worker died in a workplace accident at the Changi East project site, which involves the construction of Terminal 5 (T5) and an additional runway for Changi Airport.

On 29 July, a worker was found unconscious at the worksite at the Tuas Port Phase 2 and later passed away in a hospital.

In September, two construction workers, both Indian and Bangladeshi nation, lost their lives in separate accidents at Land Transport Authority (LTA) worksites.