Singapore’s workplace fatal injury rate in 2023 fell below 1 per 100,000 workers for the first time: MOM

The workplace major injury rate also decreased to 16.1 per 100,000 workers in 2023, from 17.3 the previous year, and is the lowest recorded in the past decade. 

The rate of workplace fatal injury in Singapore reduced to 0.99 per 100,000 workers in 2023, down from 1.3 per 100,000 workers in the year before. 

According to a press release by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), this is the first time the workplace fatal injury rate has fallen below 1 per 100,000 workers since pre COVID. 

As cited in the press release, this number falls below the 2028 Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) target.

Further, the workplace major injury rate also decreased from 17.3 in 2022, to 16.1 per 100,000 workers in 2023, recording as the lowest in the past decade. 

Here are some key improvements that have been highlighted in the 2023 workplace fatal and major injury rates:

1. Singapore's 2023 workplace safety and health (WSH) performance improved from 2022's Heightened Safety Period, reflecting the collective efforts of businesses, industry associations, unions, workers and government agencies through the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce (MAST). Among OECD nations, only the UK, Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany maintain a consistent workplace fatal injury rate below 1 per 100,000 workers.
2. Among OECD nations, only the UK, Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany maintain a consistent workplace fatal injury rate below 1 per 100,000 workers. In high-risk sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation & storage, workplace fatal and major injury rates improved, although incidents in manufacturing increased due to the rise of machinery and incidents of workers being struck by falling subjects. MAST has introduced targeted measures to uplift standards in the manufacturing sector, such as the Demerit Point System and legal duties on manufacturers and suppliers of machinery will be expanded to ensure safety, with new requirements coming later this year.

Other main findings on the workplace safety and health performance for 2023 can be found in the Workplace Safety and Health Report 2023, and are highlighted below: 

Workplace injuries

• 36 workers were fatally injured, which translated to 0.99 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
• 590 workers sustained workplace major injuries, which translated to 16.1 injuries per 100,000 workers.
• [New series] 22,161 workers sustained workplace minor injuries with any instance of medical leave or light duty, which was 606 injuries per 100,000 workers.
• 12,319 workers sustained workplace minor injuries with at least four days of medical leave or 24 hours of hospitalisation, which was 337 injuries per 100,000 workers.

Dangerous occurrences (DO) 

• A total of 19 dangerous occurrences were reported to MOM in 2023

Occupational diseases (OD)

• There were 1,229 OD cases in 2023, with an incidence rate of 33.6 per 100,000 workers.

• The leading OD was Noise-induced Deafness (NID) with 804 cases, followed by work-related musculoskeletal disorders with 353 cases (including back injury cases due to ergonomic risks).

Business under surveillance (BUS)

• 16 companies entered the Business under Surveillance (BUS) programme in 2023.

Medical & hygiene surveillance

• 111,298 workers from 2,281 workplaces were monitored under the Medical Surveillance Programme.
• Under the Hygiene Surveillance Programme, 78% of the workplaces had static noise levels greater than 85dBA.

MOM shared that the goal is to sustain the existing WSH achievements. 

"All stakeholders – employers, industry associations, unions, workers as well as the Government – need to press on with our collective efforts to prevent workplace incidents, and ensure that Singapore remains a safe workplace for all."

The Ministry assured that MAST will continue to pursue SAFE measures to drive home safety culture in every workplace and in every employer and workers.

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READ MORE: Labour demand cooled over the course of 2023: Singapore's Q4 labour market report 

Lead image / MOM